Julian Davis Reid is a pianist, producer, and composer with a focus on jazz, electronic music, and gospel. Hailing from Chicago, Julian’s newest project is Circle of Trust- original music grounded in the sonic worlds of Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner and described as introspective and hopeful.

Julian is a founding member of the jazz-electronic fusion group The JuJu Exchange (in partnership with Grammy Award-trumpeter Nico Segal and drummer-inventor Nova Zaii). The band has released singles and records to critical acclaim on Spotify and Downbeat, and has performed around the country, including at Today at Apple, Microsoft, San Francisco Jazz Fest, Le Poisson Rouge, and Chicago Jazz Fest.

A member of Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, he has recorded at Brownswood Recordings in London (Gilles Peterson) and has played some of Europe’s and North America’s top jazz festivals and clubs, including Ronnie Scott’s, Porgy & Bess in Vienna, the Berlin Jazz Festival, the Frankfurt Jazz Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival.

In the hip-hop world, Julian collaborates with Grammy Award winner Peter CottonTale on his gospel/hip-hop projects, including a performance at Lollapaolooza as his Musical Director. Julian has shared the stage with Chance the Rapper and Jennifer Hudson, and has worked in the studio with Tank and the Bangas and Derrick Hodge. Julian also has collaborated with the Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), Ayanna Woods, and Tramaine Parker. Julian has served as musical director at several churches, and has shared the stage with Tiff Joy.