Meet the Band
Lynn Riley, saxophonist, flutist, composer, educator
Known as the “Superwoman” of the saxophone and the leader of her group Lynn Riley & The World-Mix, saxophonist and flutist Lynn Riley continues to expand the musical horizons that inform her infectious music. A gifted instrumentalist and composer, Riley has impressed critics and audiences alike with her funky and accessible sound that is firmly rooted in the mainstream jazz tradition while suffused with influences from a host of world music and the blues.
Based in Philadelphia, she has performed with David Murray, Johnny Pacheco, Grover Washington Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Peter White, Rachelle Farrell, and Charles Earland, among others. She has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pa., Lynn received a B. A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii and an MLA in Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background in ethnomusicology, combined with a passion for sharing musical experiences propelled her studies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Bali. In addition to performing, Riley has been on the faculty at Drexel University since 1999.
Head To The Sky (2022), her third release follows the trajectory of her previous two recordings, Too Cool (2009) and Lynn Riley and The World Mix Say What (2014), which were both released to critical acclaim.
Rubin Edwards, bassist, producer, writer, educator, and musical director for The World-Mix
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Rubin is from Philadelphia, studied at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and has played with Gene Carne, Phil Woods, Peter Nero, Rachelle Farrell, Elio Villafranca, Doc Gibbs, Sid Simmons, Eddie Green, Mickey Roker, and Sam Reed. He has performed at festivals throughout the U. S. and abroad, including Musicfest, Berks Jazz Festival, Cape May Jazz Festival, Mellon Jazz Festival, Presidential Jazz Festival, Festijazz La Paz, and the Hartford Jazz Festival. He is featured in a Scribe Video documentary directed by Todd Lear, which was shown at the Philadelphia Film Festival, as well as on PBS.
As a producer, Rubin’s work includes the Grammy-nominated MESS OF THINGS (Carla Bean, 2012) and all three of The World-Mix’s CDs, HEAD TO THE SKY (2022), LYNN RILEY AND THE WORLD-MIX SAY WHAT (2014) and TOO COOL (2009).
Harry “Butch” Reed, drummer, producer, educator
Butch is from Philadelphia and has toured with John Blake, The Onus, The Andrew Neu Group and The Electric Mingus Project, and performed with Larry McKenna, John Swana, Tony Micelli, Gerald Veasley, among many others. He has performed at The Berks Jazz Festival, Trenton Jazz Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Lebanon Jazz Festival and Bethlehem Jazz Festivals. Butch’s motto is “Keep Swingin”, and that he does superbly!
Adam Faulk, pianist, writer, producer, educator
Adam, originally from Boston, currently resides in Philadelphia and has a degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He has toured the world as Musical Director for Billy Paul and has performed with Aretha Franklin, James Carter, Gerald Veasley, Kirk Whalum, Terrence Howard, Ronnie Burrage, MC Lyte, James McBride, Jon Blake Jr., Doc Gibbs, the Sun Ra Orchestra, and a host of others. He has performed at the Lincoln Center and the Royal Festival Hall and when he’s not performing, you can find him in the studio, writing and producing Jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.