Two terrific trios have upcoming dates scheduled in the Bay Area.
Jazz fans definitely should known about the one featuring three of the greatest artists working in the genre today — pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Marcus Gilmore.
Mehldau, who the The New York Times describes as “the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years,” is a simply spellbinding pianist who is particularly well known for his work in the trio format. McBride is arguably the most acclaimed and accomplished bassist of his generation, an adventurous musical spirit who has won eight Grammy Awards and captivated listeners with various projects. Gilmore is a powerhouse drummer who has worked with Chick Corea, Nicholas Payton and others.
That group performs April 2 at Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall (live.stanford.edu); April 3-6 at SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco (sfjazz.org); April 7 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz (kuumbwajazz.org).
EVA HAMBACH/GETTY IMAGES ARCHIVESBassist Christian McBride EVA HAMBACH/GETTY IMAGES ARCHIVES
We’d also be interested in checking out the super trio featuring banjo master Béla Fleck, great drummer Antonio Sánchez and talented harpist Edmar Castañeda at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco.
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These acclaimed artists — with Fleck and Sanchez both ranking as multiple Grammy winners — perform at 7:30 p.m. March 29 and then two shows, at 2 and 7 p.m., on March 30. Visit presidiotheatre.org for more information.
From left, Edmar Castañeda, Béla Fleck, Antonio Sánchez perform at the Presidio Theatre on March 29 and March 30, 2025 (credit: Credit: Shervin Lainez, courtesy Presidio Theatre).
