EPK: Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz
Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Collab
RIa CURLEY & Chuck LAMB with Band
Crossover Jazz • R&B-Pop • Contemporary Fusion
Appearing at the ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – June 22, Montage Music Hall, 6 pm & 10 pm
The Curley Lamb Nu-Soul-Jaz Collab unites vocalist/lyricist/composer Ria Curley and pianist/composer Chuck Lamb in a melody-forward collaboration blending vibrant instrumental jazz and poignant R&B-pop songwriting, with dynamic improvisation woven throughout.
Performing as trio, quartet, or expanded ensemble, the group moves easily from intimate listening rooms to festival stages, maintaining a distinctive balance of sophisticated jazz interplay and emotionally resonant vocal and lyrical expression.
Recent recordings, performances, and media placements continue to expand the group’s audience across jazz, R&B-pop, and contemporary crossover spaces.
About the Artists
Ria Curley
Ria Curley is an accomplished artist known for her silky voice and expressive original songs that blend R&B, pop, and jazz with a timeless, vintage-inflected sensibility. Her recordings have earned critical acclaim, and 22 of her original songs are published by Warner/Chappell Music International. Her single “Wanna Be There” received a 2024 Capital District Eddies nomination for Record of the Year.
Her performance career includes roles in Off-Broadway and Equity theater productions, and she served as an alternate in the Broadway production of “42nd Street.” Her artistic path includes television roles, Grammy-nominated production work, and exhibitions as a digital artist — experiences that inform her multidimensional musical voice.
“Ria's voice has range, emotion and a sense of drama… if you care about love, you should buy her music.”
— Tom Kuntz, The New York Times
Chuck Lamb
Pianist and composer Chuck Lamb is a longtime member of the internationally renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet, performing at major jazz festivals and concert venues worldwide, including Lincoln Center, the Newport Jazz Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival, Moscow's Tchaikovsky Hall, and Tokyo’s Blue Note.
He was named 2024 Jazz Artist of the Year at the Eddies Music Awards and serves as Jazz Artist-in-Residence at the legendary Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, where, for the past eight years, he has been curating and performing with leading jazz artists before sold-out audiences. Chuck's playing is marked by harmonic depth, rhythmic vitality, and a lyrical improvisational voice.
“Chuck is an extremely creative, harmonically interesting, rhythmically exciting pianist and one of the best improvisers I’ve heard in recent times.”
— Dave Brubeck
The Collaboration
Together, Curley and Lamb have created a sound that joyfully bridges melody-forward R&B-pop songwriting and emotionally resonant vocals with melodically driven instrumental jazz composition and improvisation.
At a Glance
Recently booked at the Rochester International Jazz Festival – June 22, Montage Music Hall
• Ria Curley - 22 songs published by Warner/Chappell Music
• Chuck Lamb - longtime member, Brubeck Brothers Quartet
• Chuck Lamb - Jazz Artist-in-Residence, Caffè Lena (eight years)
• Original vocal repertoire + instrumental jazz improvisation
• Crossover jazz, R&B-pop and contemporary fusion
• Available as trio, quartet, or expanded ensemble
Recent Activity
Recent releases from Ria Curley have received ongoing radio support, including airplay for the single Divine on WEXT public radio.
As composers and collaborators, Curley and Lamb have secured multiple film and television sync placements, including placements on HBO Max, further highlighting the reach of their original work.
Chuck Lamb is currently recording a new EP of original music, supported in part by a Saratoga Arts grant, with release anticipated in 2026.
Featured Live PerformanceS
Live Video: “Two Note Samba” (Live Original by Ria Curley) — Ria Curley Vocal Feature: https://www.youtube.
Live Video: “Estudio” (Live Original Instrumental by Chuck Lamb) — Chuck Lamb Piano Feature: https://youtu.be/
Booking & Contact
"DOWNBEAT" Magazine SAID ABOUT RIA & CHUCK...
“A sizzling set by the CHUCK LAMB Quintet with singer RIA CURLEY at the newly remodeled Caffè Lena [Saratoga Springs].”
— Downbeat Magazine (Bob Doerschuk)
Saratoga Jazz Fest Friday 2018 – Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY