Jazz |

If you have yet to discover this pianist and composer, picture an artist infused with the genes of Chopin and Erik Satie, immersed in the very heart of New York’s jazz quarters, all while embracing Latin influences. If you can envision such a cocktail, then you have precisely the essence of this album—a mesmerizing blend of complexity and joy.
An artist with a remarkable trajectory, whose biography I invite you to explore on his website (linked at the end of this review), Steve Sandberg has woven an eclectic musical path. To offer a glimpse into his universe, know that he toured with David Byrne (Rei Momo) as a keyboardist and vocalist and served as the musical director for the Lincoln Center’s summer series Brazilfest. He has orchestrated and arranged productions for Broadway (Chronicle of a Death Foretold) as well as for numerous regional and off-Broadway theaters, including the New York Shakespeare Festival.
A musician of multifaceted brilliance, Sandberg delivers with this live recording a masterful testament to his artistry. The compositions are nothing short of dazzling, the arrangements a triumph of intellectual finesse. Much like in literature, visual arts, or poetry, one finds oneself contemplating each of the nine musical pieces with reverence. The writing is so exquisite that, despite the exuberant interplay of instruments—this being a true dialogue between musicians—every note remains clear, intentional, and compelling. The trio itself is extraordinary, featuring the formidable bassist Michael O’Brien, whose playing is nothing less than a dreamscape of inspired melodic invention.
Jay Sawyer, on drums, is equally spellbinding. It is difficult to single out one track to best showcase his artistry, yet his presence is consistently enthralling. His drumming often mirrors the role of a percussionist in the most intricate and expressive sense. It quickly becomes evident why such luminaries as Freddy Cole, John McNeil, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stefon Harris, Donny McCaslin, and Benito Gonzalez have sought to collaborate with him.
Here, then, is a trio that encapsulates the very essence of live performance, each musician sharing a lucid vision of their craft. This album resists criticism, for it embodies the pinnacle of a certain jazz tradition—one that is both deeply refined and thrillingly alive. As I listened, I found myself less an audience member than a spectator of an unfolding narrative, entranced not only by the music but by the silences, the weight of each note, the nuanced phrasing. My earlier mention of Erik Satie was no accident—for there is a similar mastery of space, of breath, of resonance in Sandberg’s approach, a storyteller’s sensibility that compels us to lean in closer, eager to grasp every phrase of his musical tale.
This is a music of poetry, of humanity—arriving at a time when such things are sorely needed. It is a music that opens the mind and nourishes the soul. And truth be told, I wish I could have been a tiny mouse, slipping into the concert hall, wide-eyed with wonder at the spectacle unfolding before me. Fortunately, this album captures the very spirit of that evening, preserving its magic in every measure. The mix, too, is impeccable—worthy of the album’s ambition and ensuring its place among the indispensable recordings of our time.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 1st 2025
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::