Baltimore pianist Lafayette Gilchrist’s music draws on the span of jazz history from stride to free improvisation, and also takes inspiration from hip-hop, funk, and Washington D.C.’s unique go-go sound. He makes surprising connections between styles and influences, boldly veering from piledriver funk to piquant stride, vigorous swing to hip-hop swagger, contemplative abstraction to deep-bottom grooves. Gilchrist has toured extensively with David Murray, and his compositions have graced the soundtracks of David Simon’s acclaimed series The Wire, The Deuce, and Treme.

In 2017, Gilchrist was named a Local Legend by Baltimore Magazine, while Baltimore City Paper named his ensemble New Volcanoes as “Best Band.” In 2018 he was chosen as a Baker Artist Award winner. Gilchrist has performed with Cassandra Wilson, Craig Harris, William Parker, Macy Gray, Oliver Lake, Andrew Cyrille, Orrin Evans, Paul Dunmall, Hamid Drake, William Parker, and many more.

Gilchrist’s solo album Dark Matter landed on numerous critics’ best of 2019 lists.