Caili O'Doherty

Caili O’Doherty (pronounced “KAY-lee" “oh-DOE-er-TEE”) is a New York-based pianist, composer, arranger and educator, and is known for integrating structures of language in both her compositions and her approach to improvisation. O’Doherty has spent much of the last decade touring the US, Israel, China, Europe, South America, and Africa playing clubs, halls, masterclasses, and festivals. The latest release from O’Doherty is Quarantine Dream (Posi-Tone 2022) and features Nicole Glover on saxophone, Tamir Shmerling on bass, and Cory Cox on drums. Named after the pandemic feelings she had trying to get the album made, Quarantine Dream features eight original compositions and three influential songs reinterpreted by O’Doherty. It’s a compelling album and an impressive progression in this rising star’s musical career path. In 2015, O’Doherty released her debut album, Padme, which garnered international praise and regional tours. Currently performing throughout NYC and touring as a bandleader and side-musician, O’Doherty also works in the education department at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) as a piano accompanist for the WeBop early childhood jazz education program. She leads educational performances in New York City schools about jazz, democracy and civil rights as a bandleader for JALC’s Jazz for Young People program. O’Doherty has been a faculty member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop since 2012, as well as Litchfield Jazz Camp and the UW Madison Summer Music Clinic.