Joe Lovano, Winston Salem Symphony & Michelle Merrill - a raft, the sky, the wild sea (2026) [Hi-Res]

Douglas J. Cuomo’s 'a raft, the sky, the wild sea' is a powerful concerto written for Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano, blending contemporary classical form with the expressive freedom of jazz. Structured in three movements, the work moves between moments of stillness and turbulence, inviting the listener into an unfolding, present-tense musical journey.

Commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Winston-Salem Symphony, the piece reflects a close creative partnership between Cuomo and Lovano, whose artistry and openness shape the music from within. Performed here with the Winston-Salem Symphony conducted by Michelle Merrill, the recording captures a distinctive sound world of lyricism, risk and emotional clarity.

Dedicated to refugees and displaced people around the world, a raft, the sky, the wild sea is both a personal meditation and a broader reflection on human journeys across uncertain terrain.

Joe Lovano - tenor saxophone
Winston-Salem Symphony
Michelle Merrill - conductor