Christian Sands, piano
By the time he was 11 years old, Christian Sands was recording and playing gigs in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. In high school, he was a protégé of Dr. Billy Taylor. The year he turned 20, Sands received two Grammy nominations. A few years later, Christian McBride invited Sands to tour with his trio. Now 30, the Steinway artist has shared the stage with numerous jazz luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Sheila E, Geri Allen, James Moody, Terence Blanchard, Patti Austin, Kirk Whalum and Wycliffe Gordon.