Christian Sands
| Christian Sands | |
|---|---|
|
Sands in Denmark, 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1989 (age 26–27) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
| Associated acts | Christian McBride |
| Website | christiansandsjazz.com |
Christian Sylvester Sands (born 1989) is an American jazz pianist.
Life and career
Christian Sands grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and later moved to the nearby Orange.[1] He started playing the piano at a very young age, and took lessons from the age of four; he commented that "I grew up with it in the house, in the classroom and on stage so it has always been a huge part of my life".[1]
Sands was mentored by pianist Billy Taylor, who allowed the teenager to close one of the sets that Taylor played at the Kennedy Center.[2] Sands went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music.[3] The school's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, led by Bobby Sanabria, recorded the album Kenya Revisited Live in 2009;[4] it was nominated for a Latin Grammy.[5]
After graduating, Sands joined Inside Straight, one of bassist Christian McBride's bands; they have toured internationally.[6]
Sands became a Steinway artist in 2012.[7] In 2014, Sands cited as influences McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, and Marcus Roberts, because "They're coming from the tradition of bringing people into the music, but also moving it forward into new directions".[1] In the same year, Sands became an American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist.[1]
Discography
An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002* | Footprints | Stanza | Trio, with Jeff Fuller (bass), Jesse Hameen II (drums) |
| 2004* | Harmonia | Stanza | Trio, with James Cammack (bass), Arti Dixson (drums) |
| 2007* | Risin' | Christian Sands | |
| 2008 | Furioso | M&I | With Craig Handy (flute, tenor sax), Randy Brecker (flugelhorn, trumpet), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), Louis Hayes (drums) |
| 2014 | Take One | Storyville | Trio, with Thomas Fonnesbæk (bass), Alex Riel (drums); in concert |
As sideman
| Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009* | Sanabria, BobbyBobby Sanabria | Kenya Revisited Live | |
| 2012* | Owens, UlyssesUlysses Owens | Unanimous | Criss Cross Jazz |
| 2013* | McBride, ChristianChristian McBride | Out Here | Mack Avenue |
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Get to Know Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist Christian Sands" (September 11, 2014). American Pianists Association.
- ↑ Josephson, Sanford (2009) "Jazz Notes: Interviews Across the Generations". Praeger. p. 196. ISBN 978-0-313-35700-8.
- ↑ Lutz, Phillip (September 3, 2010) "Help for Those Just Starting Out in the Jazz World". The New York Times.
- ↑ Blanco, Edward (May 9, 2009) "Bobby Sanabria / Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra: Kenya Revisited Live!!! (2009)". AllAboutJazz.
- ↑ Grossman, Anna Jane (March 15, 2013) "Striking All the Right Notes". The New York Times.
- ↑ Jarenwattananon, Patrick (May 10, 2012) "Another Young Jazz Artist Who Also Cares About Pop Music Today (Gasp!)". npr.
- ↑ "Christian Sands". Steinway.com. Retrieved March 29, 2015.