She’s a show stopper. She wails, she grooves, she swings. She plays with authority, with power, with soul. authority, with power, with soul.
—Ron Avery, Philadelphia Daily News
“She’s a show stopper. She wails, she grooves, she swings. She plays with authority, with power, with soul.” These are the words to describe Lynn Riley by Ron Avery of the Philadelphia Daily News. A powerful dynamo in a tiny package, Riley has been described more than once as the “Superwoman” of the saxophone.
Philadelphia homegrown jazz meets world-music to inspire this collection of original compositions and distinctive classics. Lynn Riley and her band The World-Mix are known for melding captivating melodies with driving funk and world rhythms and their third release does not disappoint. The lyrics of “Keep Your Head Up To The Sky' encourage us to embrace hope amid current circumstances of COVID, polarization or other forces. “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" lauds the call and response of gospel, the healing of the blues, and connects us with the similarly tumultuous 1960’s. “Mango Tango" promises romance, then entices us to get up and dance. “Resistance Matters" is a tribute to all willing to stand up for what is right, inspired by the 2018 Women’s March.
Based in Philadelphia, she has performed with David Murray, Johnny Pacheco, Grover Washington, Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Peter White, Rachelle Farrell, and Charles Earland, among others. She has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pa., Lynn received a B. A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii and an MLA in Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background in ethnomusicology, combined with a passion for sharing musical experiences propelled her studies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Bali. In addition to performing, Riley has been on the faculty at Drexel University since 1999.
Head To The Sky (2022), her third release follows the trajectory of her previous two recordings, Too Cool (2009) and Lynn Riley and The World Mix Say What (2014), which were both released to critical acclaim.
Philadelphia homegrown jazz meets world-music to inspire this collection of original compositions and distinctive classics. Lynn Riley and her band The World-Mix are known for melding captivating melodies with driving funk and world rhythms and their third release does not disappoint. The lyrics of “Keep Your Head Up To The Sky' encourage us to embrace hope amid current circumstances of COVID, polarization or other forces. “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" lauds the call and response of gospel, the healing of the blues, and connects us with the similarly tumultuous 1960’s. “Mango Tango" promises romance, then entices us to get up and dance. “Resistance Matters" is a tribute to all willing to stand up for what is right, inspired by the 2018 Women’s March.
About Lynn Riley
Known as the “Superwoman” of the saxophone and the leader of her group Lynn Riley & The World-Mix, saxophonist and flutist Lynn Riley continues to expand the musical horizons that inform her infectious music. A gifted instrumentalist and composer, Riley has impressed critics and audiences alike with her funky and accessible sound that is firmly rooted in the mainstream jazz tradition while suffused with influences from a host of world music and the blues.Based in Philadelphia, she has performed with David Murray, Johnny Pacheco, Grover Washington, Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Peter White, Rachelle Farrell, and Charles Earland, among others. She has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pa., Lynn received a B. A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii and an MLA in Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background in ethnomusicology, combined with a passion for sharing musical experiences propelled her studies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Bali. In addition to performing, Riley has been on the faculty at Drexel University since 1999.
Head To The Sky (2022), her third release follows the trajectory of her previous two recordings, Too Cool (2009) and Lynn Riley and The World Mix Say What (2014), which were both released to critical acclaim.
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