Label: Self released

Personnel - Steve Sandberg: piano; Michael O’Brien: bass; Jay Sawyer: drums.

The versatility of three-time Emmy-nominated pianist and composer Steve Sandberg is vividly showcased in his new trio album, Live at Soapbox Gallery. Joined by his trusted collaborators—bassist Michael O’Brien and drummer Jay Sawyer—Sandberg offers a blend of dream-inspired originals and freshly reimagined classics by Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk, and Mulgrew Miller.

Staryhorn’s “Isfahan” opens with a sumptuous piano introduction and unfolds in a relaxed, cool tone as the trio enjoys a nice interlocking rapport. Another Strayhorn tune, “Upper Manhattan Medical Group”, is rendered with a vivid Brazilian flavor that is not strange to Sandberg—he was immersed in the NYC Latin jazz scene of the 80s and played with Bebel Gilberto. The shifts and dodges in the rhythm as well as the synergistic interplay between the three artists are nearly enough to work up a sweat.

Monk’s playful “Bye Ya” grooves with exuberance, its pronounced accentuations adding flair, while Miller’s waltzing “Carousel” is gently propelled by brushes as the trio quietly builds atmosphere. Yet, it is with the original material that the trio really shines. “Karma Yoga in the Kali Yuga” bursts with gleeful elan, taking advantage of the eccentricity of its dazzling rhythm. It’s a seven-beat modal dance that briefly ventures into a salsa-inspired passage before returning to its spirited opening theme. Sandberg’s solo dazzles with crystalline figures and nimble phrasing, O’Brien stirs an agitated bass flux, and Sawyer closes with expressive chops in the final vamp that serves as the piece’s conclusion.

The ballad “Under the Floor” is executed with a relaxed but profound poise, denoting an exotic feel that recalls the great saxophonist Yusef Lateef. “The Poet’s Dream” and “George Henry” are both highlights. The former is dreamy and mysterious, carrying an epic breadth and some pondering lyricism that goes beyond the gorgeous theme statement. The latter, a 7/8 exploration, mixes folk-rock and Latin elements in a crossing of Jethro Tull and Chucho Valdés. Its ecstatic finale, marked by crashing drums and intense Latinized pianism, leaves a lasting impression.

Exhibiting well-honed musical instincts, the Steve Sandberg Trio delivers notable musical moments with unflappable technical facility.