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 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 opening for 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!”.
In 2017, Steve founded the Steve Sandberg Quartet, featuring the violinist Zach Brock (critically acclaimed as “the pre-eminent improvising violinist of his generation”), bassist Michael O’Brien, and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli. Their first CD, “Alaya,” was released on ArtistShare. Dan Bilawsky of All About Jazz called this CD “... a breathtaking composite of world music, jazz, and classical expressions ... personal and precise in its direction, yet universal in its language and ability to connect.”
Throughout the pandemic, Steve has been livestreaming regularly in collaboration with many noted NY musicians including Rudy Royston, Boris Koslov, Vitor Goncalves, Jay Hoggard, Jay Rodriguez, Vinicius Gomes, and Tobias Meinhart. In August of 2022, Steve and violinist Zach Brock performed a duo concert in NYC's Bargemusic series, and in October, 2022 they gave performances and masterclasses in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt.
Michael O'Brien, bass
Lucianna Padmore, drums
https://stevesandbergmusic.com
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