Chakra is the second big band album by Mr. Nash, a saxophonist who has been on the jazz scene for over thirty years, releasing numerous albums as a leader. His most notable association has been with Wynton Marsalis as a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Nash composed “Portrait in Seven Shades” for the JLCO, which they recorded in 2010. The work received two Grammy nominations, including best instrumental arrangement. For the uninitiated, “Chakras” are points in the human body that are considered the centers of life force or vital energy in Hindu metaphysical tradition. Each of the seven selections is named for one of the Chakras. One would expect an album with such ties to Hinduism and Buddhism to have at least a hint of the music of the Far East in its sound. Instead the compositions and arrangements are thoroughly contemporary big band music. It is dense, it is powerful, it is complex and at times, it swings like mad. The band is peppered with top drawer musicians as soloists such as Anat Cohen, Tim Hagans, drummer Ulysses Owens (who grows more impressive each time I hear him) and of course Mr. Nash himself. In addition there are a few young musicians who turn in revelatory performances...... (Review by Jazz Inside Magazine)

Personnel
Ted Nash - conductor, alto sax, alto flute
Ben Kono - alto sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet
Charles Pillow - alto sax; clarinet, flute, piccolo
Dan Willis - tenor sax, clarinet
Anat Cohen - tenor sax, clarinet
Paul Nedzela - baritone sax, bass clarinet
Kenny Rampton - lead trumpet; Alphonso Horne, trumpet
Ron Horne - trumpet
Tim Hagans - trumpet
Alan Ferber - lead trombone
Mark Ferber - trombone
Charley Gordon - trombone
Jack Schatz - bass trombone
Christopher Ziemba - piano
Martin Wind - bass
Ulysses Owens - drums

Tracklist
1. Earth (4:57)
2. Water (8:05)
3. Fire (9:43)
4. Air (5:35)
5. Ether (7:16)
6. Light (7:08)
7. Cosmos (6:58)