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.
"An expressive instrumentalist, Cherry has a hip, melodic approach that is a refreshing contrast to guitarists who frequently resort to playing 'finger music', the execution of rapid streams of notes that serve no musical purpose other than to fill space"- Jim Ferguson: Jazztimes - 06/02
Born in New Haven,Connecticut, Ed moved to New York in 1978 to play guitar with Dizzy Gillespie from 1978 to 1992 performing in Gillespie's quartet, big band and with The United Nation Orchestra which recorded the Grammy Award-winning Live at Royal Festival Hall (Enja). Gillespie died in 1993, and Cherry released his first recording as a leader, 'First Take' (Groovin' High). That same year, Ed recorded with Paquito D'Riveras' small group which recorded "Havana Cafe" (Chesky Records). Ed also worked with composer/saxophonist Henry Threadgill for two years and recorded three cds with Henry's 'Very Very Circus' group.
In 1995, Cherry released his second project as a solo artist, entitled A Second Look (Groovin' High Records). During that same period Ed worked with Hammond organist John Patton recording three critically acclaimed cds with Patton's quartet-'Blue Planet Man','Minor Swing' and 'This ones for Jah'(DIW). From 1997 to 1998, Cherry worked in Roy Hargrove's “Crisol” Latin jazz band, which performed in Havana, Cuba. During this same period, he also worked w/baritone saxophonist, Hamiett Bluiett, recording Bluiett's cd 'With Eyes Wide Open' on Justin-Time records.In 2001, Cherry toured Europe for the first time with his own group. He also released his cd, 'The Spirit Speaks' on the Canadian Justin Time Records label, inspired by the great jazz organist Jimmy Smith with whom he had also recently worked.Ed was asked to perform at the 'Vodaphone Madarao Jazz festival'in 2002 in Madarao Japan with his quartet featuring trumpeter Jon Faddis.
More recently , Ed toured with the great Hammond organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, recording one critically acclaimed cd, 'In The Beginning' on Pilgrimage Records in 2012.
Currently Ed has a brand new second recording released on Posi-Tone Records. ('It's All Good' his first release in 2012 for Posi-Tone stayed in the JazzWeek charts for 3 months) his second recording for the label is titled "Soul Tree" ( release date February 19 2016 ) featuring Kyle Koehler on Hammond B3 organ and drummer Anwar Marshall. As of this pre release date, it's already gathering rave reviews.
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