Three-time Emmy-nominated pianist/composer Steve Sandberg leads the Steve Sandberg Quartet, featuring violinist Zach Brock, whose concerts combine performances of Chopin, Ravel, Bartok, Debussy, and Liszt with improvisations on original compositions that are based on these pieces and also draw from Latin, African, Balkan, jazz and East Indian traditions. He grew up playing classical piano, then became part of New York’s vibrant Latin music scene. His mentor in the field of jazz and Latin music was reedman Mario Rivera, a member of the Dizzie Gillespie, Tito Puente, and George Coleman ensembles. Steve has performed with Rudy Royston, Boris Koslov, Jay Hoggard, Vitor Goncalves, Bebel Gilberto, Ruben Blades, David Byrne, and many others, and currently teaches from his private studio in New York City and online. “A bountiful creative spirit, elevated by very fine musicianship.” -- Jon Sobel, Blogcritics
http://stevesandbergmusic.com/
Grammy-nominated Reed Player Jay Rodriguez-Sierra has been a part of the NYC sonic tapestry from the age of 15 since he began performing professionally.
His music is a place where all is possible - where the voices of Africa and all indigenous people of the earth meet Ravel, Stravinsky and the yet to be known composers.
He is a gifted reed player on all saxophones, flute, bass clarinet, Bb clarinet and various world reed instruments like the Colombian Giata or the Arabic Ney to name a few.
From co-founding the Groove Collective to his solo saxophone works and performances to his current work with artists like Craig Harris, Marc Ribot and Jason Miles, he maintains a deep commitment to the soul.
His intricate writing styles, ideas and concepts meld into deep imaginative improvisations. As a sideman he has worked with diverse artists such as Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Prince, Miley Cyrus, The Wu Tang Clan, Chucho Valdez, The Mingus Big Band, Fred Wesley , Roy Nathanson, Elvis Costello, and others.
“Mr. Rodriguez moves between idioms and energies as easily as he switches instruments…” – Giovanni Russonello, THE NEW YORK TIMES