Last Friday evening, February 14, the Emory Jazz Fest transformed into something extraordinary. Before a packed house, we witnessed the power of jazz to unite, remember, and create moments of pure musical transcendence.
The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Sam Yi, whose tireless advocacy helped shape Atlanta’s jazz landscape. It was fitting that such a celebration of jazz would begin by honoring someone who understood so deeply what this music means to our community.
When David Sánchez took the stage with our trio – myself on piano, the masterful Leon Anderson on drums, and the brilliant Kaleb Thompkins on bass – something clicked immediately. David’s approach to rhythm has always fascinated me, but experiencing it firsthand was revelatory. He doesn’t just play with time; he reshapes it, creating these intricate layers that somehow feel both complex and completely natural.
What struck me most was how David’s rhythmic conception drew from his Puerto Rican heritage while speaking the language of contemporary jazz. His phrases would dance around the beat, sometimes floating above it, other times diving deep into its core. The way he’d build tension through rhythmic displacement before releasing it in these gorgeous melodic runs – it was masterful.
Our trio found ourselves swept up in this rhythmic current. Leon’s drumming responded beautifully to David’s phrases, creating this wonderful dialogue that kept evolving throughout the night. Kaleb’s bass lines provided both anchor and counterpoint, while I found myself discovering new ways to comp and solo within these shifting rhythmic frameworks.
There are nights when everything aligns – when the music, the musicians, and the audience all become part of something larger. Friday was one of those nights. The sold-out crowd seemed to lean into every moment, their energy feeding back to us on stage and pushing the music to new places.
Looking back, what I’ll remember most is how natural it all felt. Despite the complexity of David’s concepts, nothing seemed forced. It was just four musicians listening deeply, responding honestly, and creating something that none of us could have made alone.
To everyone who joined us that night – thank you. Special thanks to Emory University for continuing to make the Jazz Fest a vital part of Atlanta’s musical calendar. And to David Sánchez – gracias for sharing your artistry and vision with us. These are the nights that remind us why we love this music so much.
Until next time,
Gary
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