
From Friday March 10 to Sunday March 12 KLAVIERHAUS offered music lovers a rare opportunity to experience established and emerging pianists in a unique and intimate setting. Billed as “El Mundo Del Piano Latinoamericano Piano Festival,” the ambitious lineup included pianists David Virelles, Arcoiris Sandoval, David Chesky, Hector Martignon, Elio Villafranca, Axel Tosca, guitarist Brandon Ross, bassist David Finck, saxophonist Vincent Herring, vibraphonist Christos Rafaildes and vocalist, Xiomara Lougart. The other” “star” of the evening was a majestic hand-crafted Fazioli piano, remarkable for its brightness, clarity, warmth and rich harmonics.
The evening began with jazz pianist and composer Arcoiris Sandoval. Originally from Arizona, she is a Fulbright award recipient currently residing in New York City and has performed at numerous festivals worldwide. Also, she and bassist Mimi Jones are the co-directors and composers of the D.O.M.E. Experience, an award-winning, environmentally and socially motivated orchestra featuring cinematography as well as dance and has a rotating roster of acclaimed musicians including Wayne Escoffery, Steve Wilson, Dayna Stephens, and many others.

ARCOIRIS (which means “Rainbow” in Spanish) opened with her original composition, “Spiral into Oblivion,” a response to the environmental changes induced by human activity and climate change, followed by an intrepid interpretation of Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints,” who she cited as an influence and kindred spirit. I enjoyed Sandoval’s passionate and tender interpretations of Billy Eckstine’s “I Want to Talk About You” and Brazilian composer Ivan Lins’ “Love Dance” and her powerful and imaginative interpretation of Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage.” For a taste of Sandoval and her trio, Sonic Asylum check out her debut recording, First Voyage, which won a Global Music Award at bandcamp.com.
