Pianist Christian Sands to Release New Album “Facing Dragons”

Christian Sands Returns with
New Studio Album Facing Dragons,
Available September 21 on Mack Avenue Records

Album Features Marcus Strickland,
Keyon Harrold, Yasushi Nakamura, Jerome Jennings,
Caio Afiune, Cristian Rivera, & Roberto Quintero

Not yet 30, Christian Sands is currently one of the most in-demand pianists working in jazz. In the last few years he has toured around the world as a bandleader and recently appeared as a sideman on records by Christian McBride and Gregory Porter. After the one-two punch of Reach and Reach Further – EP, Sands’ dynamic 2017 Mack Avenue debut and his live/unreleased studio tracks EP follow-up released earlier this year, Facing Dragons is Sands’ return to the recording studio with an indestructible band and an unwavering allegiance to the groove.

“I like the freedom of the trio format,” says Sands. “It’s more dramatic to me. It’s a smaller entity but with a big personality. I can fit it into different situations dynamically, compositionally.” Opening track “Rebel Music” features Sands’ wide-ranging scope at its most elegant, nimbly jetting through single unison lines and bright block chords. Here and throughout the record he is joined by bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Jerome Jennings, the band that Sands has been relentlessly touring with. The two sensitive accompanists are locked in sync, joined occasionally by a powerhouse pair of horns, a sinewy guitarist and a fiery pair of percussionists.

Saxophonist Marcus Strickland strikes first on the hard swinging “Fight for Freedom,” unleashing a throaty cry over the churning band. “Marcus Strickland brings a certain fire to the band,” says Sands. “Especially on this track. He’s got a rich and deep tone, so it was perfect for the earthy theme of the song.” Trumpeter Keyon Harrold shares the frontline with Strickland, playing in effortless harmony on the melody before getting a little solo space near the tune’s close.

Harrold takes centerstage later on “Frankenstein,” a churning meditation reminiscent of Herbie Hancock’s seafaring journeys of the 1960s. Sands is spacious in support and patient on his solo, the tune an energetic workout for all involved.

Photo Credit: Anna Webber

Facing Dragons

“Rebel Music”
“Fight For Freedom”
“Yesterday”
“Sangueo Soul”
“Sunday Mornings”
“Frankenstein”
“Her Song”
“Samba Da Vela”
“Rhodes to Meditation”

Christian Sands’ Upcoming U.S. Performances:

August 2 / Coral Gables Congregational United Church / Coral Gables, FL
August 11 / Richmond Jazz Festival / Richmond, VA
September 3 / Detroit Jazz Festival / Detroit, MI
September 21 / Monterey Jazz Festival / Monterey, CA
September 29 / Hyde Park Jazz Festival / Chicago, IL
October 12 / Scullers Jazz Club / Boston, MA
October 19 / Kuumbwa Jazz Club / San Jose, CA
October 20 / SF Jazz Center / San Francisco, CA
October 22 / Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley / Seattle, WA
October 25 – 28 / Jazz Standard / New York, NY
November 2 / Christina Cultural Arts Center / Wilmington, DE
November 3 / Montgomery County Community College / Blue Bell, PA
November 7 / Jazz Dock / Prague, Czech Republic
November 9 – 10 / Duc Des Lombards / Paris, France
November 11 / Blue Note Milan / Milan, Italy
November 12 / Opus Jazz Club / Budapest, Hungary
November 13 / Unterfahrt / Munich, Germany
November 15 / Club Bix / Stuttgart, Germany
November 16 / Pizza Express / London, United Kingdom
November 17 / Pizza Express / Maidstone, United Kingdom

2019 Dates:

January 23 / McAfee Concert Hall @ Belmont University / Nashville, TN
February 2 / Schambach Center – Wellin Hall / Clinton, NY
February 8 / Black Rock Center for the Arts / Germantown, MD
February 9 / Carnegie Hall / Lewisburg, WV
February 16 / Phillips Center for the Performing Arts / Gainesville, FL
April 25 / Frostburg State University – Manicur Ballroom / Frostburg, MD

DL Media