Jazz pianist Christian Sands explores musical forms in concert starting Feb. 17

UNIVERSITY PARK — “Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless — like water.” Jazz pianist Christian Sands heeds the wisdom of martial arts legend Bruce Lee on his most recent collection of recordings, “Be Water.”

Sands will lead a quartet — bassist Yasushi Nakamura, drummer Ryan Sands (Christian’s younger brother) and guitarist Marvin Sewell — in a recorded concert featuring songs from the release. The free event will stream from 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Visit Center for the Performing Arts online for more information.

Contributions from the members of the Center for the Performing Arts and a grant from the University Park Student Fee Board help make the program free of charge.

The program is part of the Center for the Performing Arts 2020–21 “Up Close and Virtual” season.

On “Be Water,” the pianist-composer uses the metaphor of fluidity to creatively express personal notions of transformation, such as growing older and experiencing the world.

“It’s a perfect analogy for life, for everything,” he said in an interview with Jazz in Europe. “You never want to feel stuck in any position or encounter that you’re in.”

“Be Water II,” a track from the album, is nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award in the Best Instrumental Composition category. The award winners are scheduled to be announced in March.

Sands performed at Eisenhower Auditorium in 2019 with Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour featuring Nakamura, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Bria Skonberg, Melissa Aldana and Jamison Ross. He has also toured and recorded with Christian McBride’s Inside Straight and Trio, as well as collaborating with the likes of Gregory Porter and Ulysses Owens.

Geisinger and Northwest provide support for virtual presentations by the Center for the Performing Arts.

Visit “Up Close and Virtual” for information on forthcoming events.

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