Jeff Denson, Romain Pilon & Brian Blade at California Jazz Conservatory

Live, In-Person and Streamed

When these virtuoso players meet on the bandstand, the result is sheer magic. Join revered French guitarist Romain Pilon, powerhouse drummer Brian Blade and internationally acclaimed bassist, vocalist, and composer Jeff Denson as they reconnect after a two-year pandemic-enforced hiatus as they prepare brand new music for their follow-up recording for Ridgeway Records! They will perform their brand new original compositions before heading into the studio the following day.

Group Bio

Their debut Ridgeway Records album Between Two Worlds (Released Date October 25, 2019) received critical acclaim and the trio toured throughout the US to promote it. The trio performs original compositions by Denson and Pilon, who met two decades ago as students at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. After graduation they pursued their own careers, but reunited occasionally to reclaim their musical camaraderie. When Denson played with Blade on a 2017 tour with Joel Harrison’s Spirit House, they clicked. “We deeply connected right away, from the first notes in the sound check,” says Denson. “It felt like kindred spirits, rhythmically; a whole other language was taking place behind the soloists, and it was totally enthralling.” Denson thought of Pilon as an ideal third partner. "He’s a virtuoso player but very sensitive and very musical, the same words I would use to describe Brian.” Denson extended an invitation to Pilon and Blade, who enthusiastically accepted. The result is one of the most captivating new groups in jazz, a trio of players with unmistakable chops, unquestionable creativity, and probing sensitivity....

read more

Live, In-Person and Streamed

When these virtuoso players meet on the bandstand, the result is sheer magic. Join revered French guitarist Romain Pilon, powerhouse drummer Brian Blade and internationally acclaimed bassist, vocalist, and composer Jeff Denson as they reconnect after a two-year pandemic-enforced hiatus as they prepare brand new music for their follow-up recording for Ridgeway Records! They will perform their brand new original compositions before heading into the studio the following day.

Group Bio

Their debut Ridgeway Records album Between Two Worlds (Released Date October 25, 2019) received critical acclaim and the trio toured throughout the US to promote it. The trio performs original compositions by Denson and Pilon, who met two decades ago as students at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. After graduation they pursued their own careers, but reunited occasionally to reclaim their musical camaraderie. When Denson played with Blade on a 2017 tour with Joel Harrison’s Spirit House, they clicked. “We deeply connected right away, from the first notes in the sound check,” says Denson. “It felt like kindred spirits, rhythmically; a whole other language was taking place behind the soloists, and it was totally enthralling.” Denson thought of Pilon as an ideal third partner. "He’s a virtuoso player but very sensitive and very musical, the same words I would use to describe Brian.” Denson extended an invitation to Pilon and Blade, who enthusiastically accepted. The result is one of the most captivating new groups in jazz, a trio of players with unmistakable chops, unquestionable creativity, and probing sensitivity.

Denson has "considerable gifts as an improviser, interpreter and sonic trailblazer..."— Ken Micallef, DownBeat Magazine

“[Romain] Pilon is world class.”– Financial Times

“Brian Blade is one of the finest drummers of his generation.”– Steve Greenlee, JazzTimes

Tickets: $35 In-Person, Open Seating; $20 Streamed

COVID-19 POLICY: In the interest of providing the best possible health and safety conditions for our campus community, all in-person participants are required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. This includes staff, faculty and students in classes and workshops, and performers and audience members at concerts. Based on currentsks while actively performing, providing they maximize physical distancing. The California Jazz Conservatory kindly requests that anyone feeling unwell refrain from attending in-person events of any kind. Participants who are exempted from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons only, must provide the California Jazz Conservatory with verification of exemption from a licensed medical professional, and proof of negative COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of each event, to participate. Note: As a testing option, PMH Laboratory is available to conduct free weekly tests at the California Jazz Conservatory, beginning August 16, 2021.

show less