Steve Sandberg Trio - Steve Sandberg, piano; Matt Dwonszyk, bass; Kirk Driscoll, drums
Three time Emmy-nominated composer/pianist Steve Sandberg plays original music that masterfully blends classical, world music and jazz with the excitement of virtuosic improvisation.
He began playing the piano at the age of 4 then became part of New York’s vibrant Latin music scene. His mentor in the field of jazz and Latin music was multi-instrumentalist Mario Rivera, a key member of the Dizzie Gillespie, Tito Puente, and George Coleman ensembles. Steve was pianist, composer and arranger for Rivera’s legendary “Salsa Refugee” group, and also performed with Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Ruben Blades. A highlight of this period was an appearance in Rio and São Paolo with João Gilberto in a duo with vocalist Bebel Gilberto. He also toured with David Byrne as keyboardist and vocalist. Steve was also lead composer and musical director for Nickelodeon’s landmark children’s programs “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go!”.
Throughout the pandemic, Steve has been livestreaming regularly from Brooklyn's Soapbox Gallery, solo and in collaboration with many noted NY musicians including Rudy Royston, Boris Koslov, Zach Brock, Vitor Goncalves, Jay Hoggard, Jay Rodriguez, Vinicius Gomes, and Tobias Meinhart.
stevesandbergmusic.com
Born in Hartford, CT, bassist Matt Dwonszyk started playing the electric bass at age eleven. His journey into the world of jazz began at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School where he began playing the upright bass. He also started attending the Artists Collective after school program playing in the Youth Jazz Orchestra. The Artist Collective, founded by jazz saxophone legend Jackie McLean, propelled Dwonszyk to continue his studies at the The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at The University of Hartford.He has performed with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, David Hazeltine, Anthony Wonsey, Rick Germanson, Hal Galper, Dave Kikoski, Donald Vega, Pete Malinverni, Steve Wilson, Abraham Burton, Javon Jackson, Gary Smulyan, Bill Saxton, Bennie Wallace, Wayne Escoffery, Mike Diruboo, Myron Walden, J.D. Allen, John Farnsworth, Steve Davis, Steve Turre, Joe Farnsworth, Carl Allen, Winard Harper, Herlin Riley, Willie Jones III, Joe Strasser, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Joe Magnarelli, Jeremy Pelt, Jumaane Smith, Wallace Roney, Freddie Hendrix and Duane Eubanks.
Drummer Kirk Driscoll has been a stalwart on the New York City jazz scene as a sideman and teacher. He has played with Rez Abbasi, David Amram, Jeff Andrews, Bruce Arnold, Victor Bailey, Hiram Bullock, Cornelius Bumpus, Ed Calle, Robben Ford, Giacomo Gates, George Garzone, Lincoln Goines, La Tanya Hall, Richie Havens, Dave Kikoski, Wayne Krantz, Donny McCaslin, Raul Midon, Oz Noy, Arturo O’Farrill, Baba Olatunji, Roberta Piket, Ed Palermo, Elliot Randall, Tim Reis, Troy Roberts, Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Haru Takauchi, Howard Tate, \Hal Wilner, T-Bone Wolk, Bobby Womack, Rachel Z and many other diverse artists over the years.