8.23.12 Richard Sears + Martin Nevin + Kevin Yokota + Sam Gendel

“Richard Sears is a highly inventive pianist, possessing a bold and lyrical approach to improvisation and composition. Whether leading performances of his own music or acting as an accompanist in a more traditional jazz context, Sears performs with a captivating sense of grace and adventure. Certainly someone to keep and ear on!” -Drew Tewksbury, NPR

“Richard Sears is a fierce young pianist – exploding with technique, energy, and art” - Brick Wahl, LA Weekly

Pianist and composer Richard Sears grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California.  An eager improviser from an early age, he immersed himself in the Bay Area’s vibrant music scene, and was composing and performing professionally by his junior year of high school.  In 2005, Richard received a scholarship to attend the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Shelly Berg, John Clayton, and Alan Pasqua.

Today, Richard is at the forefront of a growing community of creative young musicians in Los Angeles.  He has played concerts in New York and Peru, and recorded and performed with a diverse array of artists including Joshua Redman, Robben Ford, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Azar Lawrence.  In winter of 2010, Richard released his first CD, RICK; featuring his compositions for a quartet that combines influences from rock and free jazz.

Richard Sears website

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Martin Nevin grew up in Los Angeles and started playing electric bass
and guitar when he was 12 years old. After hearing his first
Thelonious Monk record, he became deeply interested in jazz and picked
up the upright bass. In 2006 Martin received a scholarship to attend
Manhattan School of Music, where he studied bass with Jay Anderson and
David Grossman, and composition with Michael Patterson. Since then he
has performed and/or recorded with notable artists such as Jason
Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joe Lovano, and Aaron Parks, and performed
in venues such as The Jazz Gallery, Smalls, the Deer Head Inn, and
Kuumbwa Jazz Center.Martin currently resides in New York City where he
continues to compose, teach, perform and record.

Martin Nevin website

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Drummer and composer Kevin Yokota grew up on his family’s 50 acre raisin and stone fruit farm in the small San Joaquin Valley town of Kingsburg, CA.  As a child, Kevin dedicated much time to picking and eating fresh fruit, collecting insects, fishing, hiking, and letting his imagination run wild.

Now at the age of 23, this recent University of Southern California graduate resides in Los Angeles where he performs regularly with some of Southern California’s finest musicians.  Since graduating, Yokota has had the honor of performing with a wide spectrum of artists including Eric Reed, Shelly Berg, Otmaro Ruiz, Russell Ferrante, and Randy Newman.

Kevin currently leads his own group, “The Kevin Yokota Quartet”.

 ”Insightful and uncompromisingly honest, Kevin’s music is a well-crafted reflection of a beautiful soul.” -- John Daversa

 ”I love Kevin’s feel. There’s a looseness that doesn’t feel lackadaisical and an edge that isn’t overwhelming; a comfortable combination of swing and creativity.” --Eric Reed 

 ”Kevin is a joy to work with. His playing is always in support of the music and his fellow bandmates. He’s an imaginative writer and arranger as well and I’m sure this informs his beautiful and sensitive ensemble playing.” – Russell Ferrante (Yellow Jackets)

Kevin Yokota website

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Sam Gendel