Biography
Christian Sands first gained notice in the 2000s as a jazz pianist whose command of post-bop and swing ran unusually deep. Having studied under the late Dr. Billy Taylor, he received early attention for his appearances at the Grammy Awards in both 2006 and 2007, as well as for additional performances with Taylor at the Kennedy Center. After issuing several solo projects and serving in Christian McBride’s ensemble, Sands established his own voice on the 2017 Mack Avenue album Reach and its 2018 successor, Facing Dragons. Two further Mack Avenue releases followed: Be Water in 2020 and the holiday collection Christmas Stories in 2023.
Sands entered the world in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1989. Piano lessons began at age three; by five he was already writing music. During his teenage years he trained at both the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven while regularly attending the Jazz in July program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he first encountered his mentor, Billy Taylor. After completing high school he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Manhattan School of Music. Since that time his sideman credits have included Lou Donaldson, Kirk Whalum, Phil Woods, James Moody, and Wycliffe Gordon.
His first solo recording, Footprints, appeared in 2002 when he was twelve. Harmonia followed in 2004 and Risin’ in 2008, the latter featuring trumpeter Josh Evans. He performed at the Grammy Awards in 2006 and 2007, including a duet with Oscar Peterson, and appeared as Taylor’s guest during the 2006 and 2007 Jazz at the Kennedy Center series. He later joined McBride’s group, playing on the 2013 albums Out Here and People Music, recorded with bassist Ben Williams, and participated in the Grammy-nominated Kenya Revisited Live with the Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra under Bobby Sanabria.
In 2014 Sands was named a finalist for the American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards. Three years afterward he issued Reach, his first Mack Avenue album, which included guitarist Gilad Hekselman, bassist McBride, and saxophonist Marcus Strickland. Facing Dragons arrived the next year on the same label, spotlighting bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Jerome Jennings along with further work from Strickland and trumpeter Keyon Harrold. After residing in Shanghai for two years, Sands drew on the philosophy of Bruce Lee for the 2020 album Be Water.
October 2023 brought the seven-track Christmas Stories on Mack Avenue. Already known for his concert interpretations of holiday material, Sands assembled an all-star group that featured vibraphonist Stefon Harris and saxophonist Jimmy Greene.
Sands entered the world in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1989. Piano lessons began at age three; by five he was already writing music. During his teenage years he trained at both the Neighborhood Music School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven while regularly attending the Jazz in July program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he first encountered his mentor, Billy Taylor. After completing high school he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Manhattan School of Music. Since that time his sideman credits have included Lou Donaldson, Kirk Whalum, Phil Woods, James Moody, and Wycliffe Gordon.
His first solo recording, Footprints, appeared in 2002 when he was twelve. Harmonia followed in 2004 and Risin’ in 2008, the latter featuring trumpeter Josh Evans. He performed at the Grammy Awards in 2006 and 2007, including a duet with Oscar Peterson, and appeared as Taylor’s guest during the 2006 and 2007 Jazz at the Kennedy Center series. He later joined McBride’s group, playing on the 2013 albums Out Here and People Music, recorded with bassist Ben Williams, and participated in the Grammy-nominated Kenya Revisited Live with the Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra under Bobby Sanabria.
In 2014 Sands was named a finalist for the American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards. Three years afterward he issued Reach, his first Mack Avenue album, which included guitarist Gilad Hekselman, bassist McBride, and saxophonist Marcus Strickland. Facing Dragons arrived the next year on the same label, spotlighting bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Jerome Jennings along with further work from Strickland and trumpeter Keyon Harrold. After residing in Shanghai for two years, Sands drew on the philosophy of Bruce Lee for the 2020 album Be Water.
October 2023 brought the seven-track Christmas Stories on Mack Avenue. Already known for his concert interpretations of holiday material, Sands assembled an all-star group that featured vibraphonist Stefon Harris and saxophonist Jimmy Greene.
Albums
Singles
Live
