Caleb Wheeler Curtis is an alto saxophonist of imploring tone and willful asymmetry. With an expansive cadre of collaborators, he has etched a distinct sense of line and shadow over the course of several albums as a leader. This week, Curtis returns to The Jazz Gallery to celebrate the release of his newest record, Heatmap.

The album is released by pianist Orrin Evans’s Imani Records—Evans appears on the album and has been a longtime mentor to Curtis. In a previous interview with Jazz Speaks, Curtis spoke of some of the insights he has gained from working with Evans over the years:

He really encourages people to do what they want in his band. One night, I played in Philly with Orrin, who records everything on his phone. We were listening back, and I was playing some weird shit that didn’t make any sense. He was like, “Man that was some weird shit you were doing, but I like that you stuck with it, even though it didn’t work” [laughs]. It didn’t work, but he much prefers that than only doing things you know will work. [Another time] I got super lost on a tune I didn’t know. There were some hits the band would play that threw everyone back together, so eventually I got back on track. On the break, he said to me, “We were so lost, it was great.” It was the keys to freedom.

For the release show at the Gallery, Curtis will be joined by Evans, bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Allan Mednard. Before coming out, you can sample two preview tracks, “Limestone” and “Trembling,” below.

Caleb Wheeler Curtis celebrates the release of Heatmap (Imani) at The Jazz Gallery on Friday, July 15, 2022. The group features Curtis on alto saxophone, Orrin Evans on piano, Sean Conly on bass, and Allan Mednard on drums. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. E.D.T. $15 general admission ($10 for members, FREE for SUMMERPASS holders), $25 reserved cabaret seating ($20 for members, $10 for SUMMERPASS holders). Purchase tickets here.