Jazz Pianist Christian Sands to Perform in Cincinnati, 2/28
By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 15, 2016
One of the jazz world's most prolific young stars will demonstrate his eclectic technique in Cincinnati, when the Xavier University Jazz Series presents piano virtuoso Christian Sands in concert on Sunday, February 28.
Though Sands has previously performed in Cincinnati as part of the acclaimed Christian McBride Trio, the upcoming concert will be his first solo performance in the area. The concert will include "Southern Song," a composition he wrote in honor of Black History Month, to be performed over a recording of the late poet Margaret Walker.
"I had read her book, 'Jubilee,' and became a fan of her work," Sands said. "Doing some research on her, I came across 'Southern Song' and fell in love with the piece. My mother is from the Georgia, and being close with that side of my family, my grandmother in particular, and hearing stories of their upbringing, Ms. Walker's piece stayed in my spirit. The words are strong and resemble what many African Americans can relate to."
Sands, who is a Steinway Recording Artist, has been nominated three times for a Grammy Award. As a teenager, he performed on the 2006 and 2007 Grammy Awards, including a duet with jazz great Oscar Peterson. In 2012, he was also an American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist.
Growing up in suburban Baltimore, Sands began studying music at age 4 and wrote his first composition at the age of 5. He received Masters and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed throughout the world, often sharing the stage with such jazz luminaries as trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, vocalist Esperanza Spalding, bassist Ben Williams, composer and pianist Jason Moran and many more.
Now 26, Sands is known for his wide range of jazz performance styles, including stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban. Jet Magazine named him a future rising star and, in 2015, he was featured in Vanity Fair's Jazz Youth-Quake.
"For someone so young, Christian Sands has an amazing understanding of the styles he is playing in," said Polina Bespalko, director of the Xavier University Jazz Series. "He brings so much freshness and individuality to everything he does. He is a true phenomenon."
The Xavier University Jazz Series will present Christian Sands in the Gallagher Theater at Xavier University on Sunday, February 28, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets range from $3 to $28 and can be ordered by calling 513-745-3939 or by visiting www.xavier.edu/musicseries/.
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