David Chesky's Boundless Creativity
The New York Descargas
Growing up in Miami Beach, David Chesky was immersed in a world of Latin music. The Algiers Hotel on Collins Avenue, where Cuban bands played by the pool, was a frequent backdrop to his childhood. The 1960s were a formative period for David, marking the beginning of his lifelong attachment to music. During this era, Miami Beach buzzed with a dynamic and culturally diverse music scene, with hotels along Collins Avenue showcasing a variety of Latin American musical styles. And David was there digging the melting pot of musical influences, including styles such as Cuban Mambo and Cha Cha, Salsa, Cuban Son Montuno, Guaracha, Cha Cha cha, Mambo, Bolero, and Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, Bossa Nova, Latin Jazz, and Bolero.
His passion for music was evident from an early age. He began piano lessons at five, encouraged by his mother, and continued to nurture his talent. As a teenager, his musical tastes leaned more towards classical and jazz rather than the then-popular rock and roll. He found inspiration in the works of Oscar Peterson, the Buddy Rich Big Band, George Gershwin, and the Latin rhythms that surrounded him. At seventeen, in 1974, David moved to New York City to further his musical career, studying under classical composer David Del Tredici and jazz pianist John Lewis.
Not surprisingly, David Chesky's music is a reflection of his early influences and musical roots, vibrant and eclectic. His career has been as diverse as his musical influences. I am a witness to my cousin’s persistent journey of creativity and aural exploration. In fact, I remember when he was born. I lived in West Hartford to his Miami Beach, but our paths crossed early on. Dukie was his nickname.
Together with his brother Norman, who handled their business affairs, they later founded Chesky Records, an audiophile label noted for its pristine audio and eclectic array of artists, in addition to David’s own music.
Today, Grammy-nominated David has an impressive repertoire as a composer of orchestral works, operas, and ballets. He's also an author of children’s books, a skilled jazz pianist, and a pioneer in audio technology innovation. Respected for his innovative and eclectic approach, David Chesky has made contributions to both the jazz and classical music scenes. His classical work has been performed by symphonies worldwide.
His daughter Paloma is a fifteen year old singer/songwriter, as well.
I wrote the liner notes for a number of Chesky Jazz Records including high def audio recordings by Phil Woods, Paquito D’Rivera, Clark Terry and McCoy Tyner. Attending one of the sessions for New York Reunion at RCA’s Studio A on West 44th Street in New York in April of 1991, with McCoy, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter and Al Foster, was one of the great afternoons of my life.
One thing you should know my cousin is that he never stops. He’s always been a driven man. The great writer Ben Hecht once said that the key to a successful life was to keep going. I have watched David Chesky keep going since he first arrived in New York in 1974. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with him.
His first New York project was a big band that he put together with studio cats including Michael Brecker and Bob James. Their gigs caught the ear of producer John Hammond in his final days at Columbia Records. David’s first Columbia album was Rush Hour, and to showcase his music, the group played on the Merv Griffin Show and the Newport Jazz Festival in New York. All this while he was taking private lessons from John Lewis.
These days he has a new audiophile label, The Audiophile Society. He’s still traveling around the globe, playing his compositions with classical orchestras. The new recordings on his label utilize even more advanced audio technology. "These recordings are compatible with your home and portable systems, and can be played back on anyone's home speaker system or headphones without the need for buying any other audio equipment. Our Mega-Dimensional audio is more than some application. It is a process that is thought out from the ground up on each recording," says David.
“When you hear our new Audiophile Society recordings on speakers, you should feel like you are in the space with the musicians. The sound of our music is not stuck to the speaker grills like a normal recording, but should float up before you. You should experience a sense of height and a wider and deeper soundstage. It should be a more enveloping realistic experience.” Audiophile Society recordings use multiple sample rates, rendering and outputting at the highest sampling frequency to ensure the best sound for the creation of 3D audio.
He also records and performs at Lincoln Center with his New Jazz in the New Harmonic group, which includes Jeremy Pelt, Javon Jackson, Peter Washington and Billy Drummond.
On his new recording, one of his best, The New York Descargas, his trio includes two Latin music masters, renowned conga player Giovanni Hidalgo, and acclaimed bassist John Benitez.
David's descargas resonate with an Afro-Cuban core, seamlessly integrating the sophisticated harmonies of his classical works. His descargas embody the spirit of a jam session, characterized by instrumental improvisations with a high degree of spontaneity. The Spanish term "descarga," meaning "to unload" or "let off," aptly describes what’s happening here, musically, where musicians freely express their prowess in an unrestrained setting. This environment fosters musical experimentation and interaction, often resulting in distinctive and dynamic performances, as evident on this recording.
My initial encounter with this music, prevoked memories of "Herbie Hancock: Inventions and Dimensions," a classic Blue Note recording renowned for its avant-garde fusion of free jazz, modal jazz, and Latin elements, showcasing Hancock's adventurous spirit in jazz exploration.
While the musical styles differ, a similar spirit of innovation is palpable here. David Chesky’s Trio masterfully encapsulates the lively ambiance of Havana's streets and the majesty of New York's concert halls. This amalgam results in a distinct fusion of global music that continually delights and astonishes.
Descarga No. 2
Decarga No. 4
What’s next for David Chesky? A solo piano album, his first. I've had the opportunity to hear a preview and I can say, it's definitely impressive.
For more, please visit The Audiophile Society
Thank you, I've known about David Chesky for years and until now haven't heard his music. He certainly plays with the best musicians.
Thanks for putting the spotlight on David--he deserves it. As does his brother. When I was in CD wholesale in the late 80s/early 90s, I was the buyer for Chesky Records and they ran a savvy, artist-friendly operation. They were always a pleasure to work with, and they produced many terrific recordings. That they're still out there doing it right is a testament to a sound creative and business approach. More power to them!