Ft. Joe Lovano, Winston-Salem Symphony & Michelle Merrill. Out now on Blue Cloud Music

Douglas J. Cuomo’s captivating new work a raft, the sky, the wild sea performed by Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano with the Winston-Salem Symphony and Michelle Merrill,

releases on Blue Cloud Music.

"a raft, the sky, the wild sea is not only a musical depiction of a metaphysical journey - for millions of people throughout the world who are forced to flee their homeland to seek safety and a better life, it's a description of a harrowing physical reality. This piece also recognizes these children, women and men, for whom the raft, the sky and the sea are indescribably dangerous, and for whom the journey is real.” ~ Douglas J Cuomo

• Written for the world-renowned jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano, a raft, the sky, the wild sea draws

on Cuomo's background in both the jazz and classical worlds. Its musical language references

the vocabularies of both contemporary classical music and jazz, through a rich soundscape of

balladic interludes and modal improvisation, within the construct of a large scale three-movement musical structure.

• The work was commissioned by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic

Orchestra, and the Winston-Salem Symphony. Written for and dedicated to saxophonist

Lovano, the work bears the fruit of an intimate and meaningful partnership, spanning genres,

styles and a wealth of musical collaboration.

• With the ability to call upon the experience of a highly distinguished history of composition for

the concert hall and opera house, as well as for theatrical stages, television, and film, Cuomo’s

compelling work is a distinctive and recognisable signature, whilst never missing an opportunity

to explore full stylistic range and challenge the limits of genre.

• To leave so much up to the soloist requires a deep musical compatibility and trust - a special

relationship between composer and performer. Lovano's tremendous artistry and wide-open

musical mind allows Cuomo to shape the sound picture with freedom, and with the

confidence that the exceptional beauty, raw power, sensitivity and heightened emotion so

synonymous with Lovano’s musical output would be brought fully to bear on the performance.

• Dedicated to all refugees and displaced people around the world, a raft, the sky, the wild sea is

an invitation to reflect on the position of every individual on their own personal voyages within

the enormity of the world.

Digital Release February 6th 2026

Limited Vinyl LP Release March 6th 2026

Listen to album on all platforms here Learn more about Douglas J. Cuomo here 4