This young pianist will be exciting to behold perform. His diversity and talent is aptly displayed on his latest record, 2018’s “Facing Dragons,” a beautifully executed song cycle played with his core trio — bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Jerome Jennings — that is a locked and loaded paean to groove and mood. The musicians flow seamlessly. The record is joyful in tone. Christian started his musical education at the age of four and attributes a good deal of his influence to the church, where Sunday services set the tone for the rest of the week. “Church music is key in not just my sound but most jazz musicians I look up to. It’s a culture that most of us have gone through so it’s embedded in what we do,” he says. “Jazz can be a religious experience and for me my playing is my gift to God.” And what a gift it is.
Christian Sands
