DATE: Saturday, March 3
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
TICKETS: $20 ($15 for students & seniors)
Sound It Out presents a double-bill with two young leaders fronting ace bands: Daniel Levine’s Knuckleball and the Santiago Leibson Trio, both with fine new albums out. The linchpin player for this double-bill (and both records) is drummer Devin Gray, a familiar face at the kit for Sound It Out. Trumpeter Daniel Levine’s trio Knuckleball also features pianist Marc Hannaford, who played his own great show as a leader in the series last fall. And pianist Santiago Leibson’s trio includes for this show the great bassist Michael Formanek, who has played the series many times as a leader himself.
About his connections to both of these bands, Devin says: “Daniel and I go back many years, and we share many mutual joys in music. He’s also a great guy and a good friend – I love his life energy. As for Marc Hannaford, he’s not just a pianist – he is a thinker-pianist. He’s so clear with his ideas, so sharp. And he has this joyful attitude and dedication to music that sings deeply for me.” About Leibson, Devin adds: “Santiago was introduced to me by a mutual friend – and we immediately started playing music together. As a drummer, I’ve always enjoyed the space of a piano trio, and I really believe in Santiago’s composing and approach to music. And I’ve known Mike Formanek since 2001. As anyone who knows jazz realizes, he’s an incredible figure, as a musician and man. I’m really looking forward to this concert!”