Wajdi Cherif Reimagines Dizzy Gillespie’s “Con Alma” in a Contemporary Piano-Trio Performance
NEW YORK, NY — November 08, 2026 – Following the celebration of Dizzy Gillespie’s birthday last month, pianist and composer Wajdi Cherif presents a new interpretation of “Con Alma,” the legendary trumpeter and composer’s celebrated composition. Performed by the Wajdi Cherif Trio, the recording brings a fresh rhythmic and harmonic perspective to the jazz standard while preserving the spirit of its original character.
Rather than simply revisiting the familiar melody, Cherif reshapes “Con Alma” through a forward-looking piano-trio arrangement, combining lush piano harmonies, acoustic bass, drums, and hand percussion. The performance develops through a fluid interplay of rhythm and improvisation, building momentum toward an unexpected closing riff and a brief drum solo that gives the arrangement its own distinctive ending.
Recorded in New York City with bassist Gary Wang and drummer Robert Garcia, the track captures the spontaneous interaction of three musicians balancing the expressive language of a jazz classic with a contemporary approach to the acoustic trio.
“Con Alma” is the latest single from Explorations, Cherif’s upcoming studio album featuring original compositions alongside personal interpretations of established jazz repertoire. The album explores a range of musical landscapes, from the modern blues of “Saturday Blues” to the Brazilian-inspired “Rio Reverie” and the reflective original “Melancholic Musings.”
With Explorations, Cherif continues to explore the piano trio as a space for composition, improvisation, and musical conversation, bringing his own perspective to both original material and the jazz tradition.
“Con Alma” will be released November 19, 2026.
INFO: Artist: Wajdi Cherif Trio Record Label: B. Chord Music Composition: “Con Alma” (Dizzy Gillespie) Personnel: Wajdi Cherif (piano), Gary Wang (acoustic bass), Robert Garcia (drums) Release date: November 19, 2026 Album: Explorations (upcoming, 2027)
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