Kris Davis ‘Run the Gauntlet’

For all its freshness and innovation, Davis’ music is precisely and unmistakably the sound of today.” – Mike West, DownBeat

“Kris Davis is a powerhouse and a polymath who never stopped moving forward.... her many pursuits—label founder, teacher, pianist, and composer—are in fact change agents for greater cultural awareness and an expanding creative community.” – Britt Robson, Bandcamp Daily

Kris Davis is a Grammy award-winning pianist and composer described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz on a given night.” Davis has released 25 recordings as a leader or co-leader and collaborated with artists such as Dave Holland, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Zorn, Craig Taborn, Ingrid Laubrock, Julian Lage, Tyshawn Sorey and esperanza spalding. She was named a 2021 Doris Duke Artist alongside Wayne Shorter and Danilo Perez, Pianist of the Year by DownBeat magazine in 2022 and 2020, and Pianist and Composer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2021. Davis is the Associate Program Director of Creative Development at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice and the founder of Pyroclastic Records. Davis is a Steinway Artist.

‘Run the Gauntlet’, the new album from Kris Davis, features bassist Robert Hurst (known for his work with Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Geri Allen) and drummer Johnathan Blake (know for his work with Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Tom Harrell). This album skillfully blends structured compositions with spontaneous improvisation, showcasing Davis' unique position in the jazz world as a leader who unites diverse talents.

The title, ‘Run the Gauntlet,’ serves as a metaphor for overcoming a series of challenges to achieve one's goals. In this project, Davis pays homage to six trailblazing women pianists who have left an indelible mark on her journey as a pianist and composer: Geri Allen, Carla Bley, Renee Rosnes, Angelica Sanchez, Marilyn Crispell, and Sylvie Courvoisier. By dedicating the album to these extraordinary women, Davis honors their resilience and groundbreaking contributions as leaders in the jazz community.