Double bill! Jazzschool alums and creative forces in the Bay Area jazz community, pianists Erika Oba and Ruthie Dineen return to present original projects that showcase their gorgeous compositions and keen improvisational prowess. (Fun fact—both Oba and Dineen studied jazz piano with Jazzschool founder Susan Muscarella.)
Oba’s “spikey original compositions that simmer and surge without ever boiling over” (The Mercury News), draw on influences ranging from Thelonious Monk to Okinawan folk song, navigating from swinging bebop to classically influenced, through-composed pieces. Her band, with bassist Chris Bastian and drummer Jeremy Steinkoler, has honed its superb chemistry over years, marrying sensitivity with deep groove and fleet ensemble interaction. The trio’s debut album, Ghosts on the Water, was released in 2024. Dineen brings her collective trio RDL+, co-led with bassist Doug Lee, and featuring Puerto Rican cuatro player Pedro Pastrana. Here, exploratory original compositions showcase the group’s warm acoustic sound that bridges jazz with Caribbean and Latin rhythms. “RDL+ is the spirit of adventure. They are intrepid explorers, restless and pondering, finding the edges and hurling themselves over” (Indie Mayhem).
A pre-concert talk is planned with the artists at 7:30pm.
Doors 7pm
Pre-concert talk at 7:30pm
Concert at 8pm