CIPHER
Unlocking CIPHER
a message from Charlie Porter
Explore the Sound
(30 second clips of each track)
Featuring
Charlie Porter - trumpet
Nick Biello - saxophones
George Colligan - piano
Alan Jones - drums
Garrett Baxter - bass
Cipher Update! —
A Note from Charlie Porter
A few sharp-eared solvers helped me catch something small: a few of the encoded passages contain very slight discrepancies caused by some last-minute musical tweaks I made in the studio. These resulted in one or two letters being incorrect in each affected passage.
Think of it like reading a sentence where a couple of letters are wrong, but the meaning is still completely clear — for example, “TAKE THE PITH FORWARD.”
Rest assured, this doesn’t affect the treasure map or final solution — everything still connects exactly as intended.
Thank you all for listening, decoding, and exploring with such dedication. Your engagement brings Cipher to life in ways I never could have imagined.
— Charlie
About the Album
Cipher is more than a listening experience — it’s an invitation into sound, story, and mystery. Across eight original compositions, GRAMMY-winning trumpeter and composer Charlie Porter leads a fearless ensemble — Nick Biello (alto sax), George Colligan (piano), Garrett Baxter (bass), and Alan Jones (drums) — through music that ranges from mysterious swing to angular, modern grooves to lyrical ballads.
Each piece stands on its own as a cinematic, forward-thinking jazz statement. But woven inside the notes and rhythms are hidden ciphers: nine secret messages waiting to be decoded. Together, they form an intricate puzzle leading beyond the music into the real world.
Rooted in the spirit of exploration and Porter’s lifelong fascination with codes, riddles, and storytelling, Cipher dares you not only to listen, but to solve.
Crack the Code!
(official rules)
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Nine Clues: Embedded across the eight tracks are nine clues, embedded into the music via ciphers and codes. Each one brings you closer to the completing the map. You must have a basic working knowledge of music notation, ciphers and codes but need not be an expert.
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The Destination: Decoding the clues leads to a secret location somewhere in the continental United States, where an object has been hidden.
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The Prize: The first person to find the object and present proof of their solve claims a $10,000 reward.
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Safety First: The hidden location is safe, public, and accessible. No dangerous terrain, no trespassing.
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To Win: You must present the object and also provide your step-by-step solves showing how you cracked each clue.
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The Hunt Begins: September 26, 2025.
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No purchase necessary to participate, though you may purchase the CD (doubling as a cipher disk decoder) and sheet music to aid you in the hunt.
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Clarification (October 2025):
In the spirit of the Cipher Treasure Hunt, all final solves and prize submissions must demonstrate original human reasoning and interpretation. While participants may use tools (including AI) to assist with organization, transcription, or basic research, the final decoding and explanation of the clues must clearly result from the solver’s own thought process. -
Upon claiming the prize, entrants may be asked to provide reasonable evidence of their solving process — such as notes, sketches, or written logic — to confirm that the solution reflects their own independent reasoning.
Cipher is both music and map — a challenge that asks: will you be the one to decode it?
For Educators: Posters & Classroom Kit
Invite your students to tackle a real-world $10,000 treasure hunt hidden in the music of Cipher. Download a one-page poster and get a quick primer on musical ciphers and codes.
DISCLAIMER:
No purchase necessary to participate or win. A purchase or payment will not increase your chances of winning. The Cipher treasure hunt is a contest of skill. Participants may analyze the album by streaming on widely available platforms or by purchasing a copy; the physical CD and sheet music are optional tools and not required to solve or win.
By participating, you acknowledge you are doing so voluntarily and at your own risk. The hidden object is placed in a publicly accessible location within the continental United States. Always exercise caution, obey applicable laws, respect property and signage, and use good judgment. You are responsible for your actions and any consequences.
To be eligible for the prize, you must follow the submission and verification process described in the Official Rules at https://www.cipheralbum.com. The first verified finder, as determined under the Official Rules, will receive $10,000.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Charlie Porter, PHP Records, and their affiliates, partners, and sponsors are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from participation.
Void where prohibited. Official Rules govern.