Edward Simon Trio | The Latin American Songbook

($30-$40 tickets + DICE fees | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Praised by DownBeat as “one of the strongest pianists of his generation,” awarding-winning artist and composer Edward Simon has become an irrepressible force in modern music. Throughout his accomplished career, the Venezuela-born Bay Area artist has refined his sound by exploring its pluralisms and by fostering global connections on and off the bandstand.

Grounded in the moment and wired for exploration, Simon’s expression leans into different styles from Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States, treating their elements and traditions as inextricably related and universal. His technical mastery continues expanding, as does his emotional resonance and his social impact. He’s a storyteller. Lithe and beautiful, guttural and lamenting — his music courts tension even beyond harmony and rhythm, renewing his legacy of artistry, advocacy and true creative expression.

His 2016 album, “Latin American Songbook”, with the four-and-a-half-star DownBeat review praising its “grand and sophisticated” sound, won Simon an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album. He has just released the follow up album, “Latin American Songbook Vol. 2” with his longtime trio of acclaimed bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Adam Cruz.