By: Rudy Lu

Jazz Piano Trios are often used for background at restaurants and bars. This performance by the Billy Childs Trio commanded attention.

It was like nature. Gentle and powerful at the same time. The audience was convinced to listen to all the elements of the band’s sound.

Billy Childs is an LA composer pianist. He is not as well known as he should be. He is well known for blending the classical tradition with Jazz. His powerful hands were capable of foritissimo notes as well as gentle ones. He is a 6 time Grammy winner. His bandmates have similar credentials . Bassist Matt Penman leads his own band and is a regular member of the San Francisco Jazz Collective. Drummer Ari Hoenig is an internationally recognized drummer/instructor, considers his drumset as a melodic instrument as well as rhythmic time keeper.

Songs from Billy’s 25 year plus recording career included “In Carson’s Eyes”, “Take For Example This”, “34 Skidoo” were powerful yet gentle. An excellent use of dynamics and the virtuosity of the combo.”New World Disorder”, a composition from 1991, was jagged, fast and rapid was appropriate for the times.

The encore was “Like Father, Like Son”, a composition written in honor of his father brought the energy down so everybody left the hall with good emotions.

This was the first time for yours truly to have seen Billy Childs. I hope it will not be last.