Christian Sands & Ryan Sands
Jazz Piano & Drums
Christian Sands is an American jazz pianist and composer. His third album for Mack Avenue Records, Be Water, was released in 2020 and received a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Instrumental Composition category for the song "Be Water II".
He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and later moved to the nearby town of Orange. He started playing the piano at a very young age, and took lessons from the age of four; he commented that "I grew up with it in the house, in the classroom and on stage so it has always been a huge part of my life".
Christian Sands’ star continues to rise. His piano skills align perfectly with his artistic vision, leading to a fresh perspective on jazz music. Sands’ musical expression is marked by a diverse range of techniques and styles.
From a young age, Sands has shown a deep passion for music. Starting formal lessons at age 4, he composed his first piece at 5 and started performing at 10. His education at prestigious institutions like the Manhattan School of Music paved the way for a successful career. Collaborating with jazz legends such as Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Christian McBride, Sands has made a name for himself in the jazz world.
With multiple Grammy nominations, international performances, and most recently receiving the prestigious title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Minister of Culture, Sands’ career shows no sign of slowing down as he continues to make a lasting impact on the world.
Sands was mentored by pianist Billy Taylor, who allowed the teenager to close one of the sets that Taylor played at the Kennedy Center. Sands went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music. After graduating, Sands joined Inside Straight, one of bassist Christian McBride's bands; they have toured internationally. Sands became a Steinway artist in 2012. In 2014, Sands became an American Pianists Association Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist.
Hailing from Orange, CT/New Haven County, Ryan Sands has worked his way up to become one of the top young drummers in his field. His emphatic playing has landed him performances with Terell Stafford, Geoffrey Keezer, Wayne Escoffrey, Tamir Hendleman, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, and Jason Marsalis. He currently holds the drum chair for Christian Sands and Altus. Ryan has performed in the pit of the Ain’t Misbehavin, under the direction of Jeffrey Page, and worked on music for Dominique Morisseau’s Paradise Blue under the direction of Alphonso Horne.
Ryan’s musical education includes a BA in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory and an MA in Jazz Arts from the Manhattan School of Music. As a professor he has taught for Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT, and iSchool of Music and Art in Shanghai. He currently teaches private drums at Yale University for their Yale Undergrad Jazz Collective. At Southern Connecticut State University he is currently at the adjunct private drum instructor and teaches the lecture class, Intro to the History of Black American Music.
Ryan’s recording credits include Christian Sands’ Risin’, Christmas Stories, and his most recent release Embracing Dawn. Altus’ Riot Cycles and Mythos, David Knowles's Blackest Night, and Shihai Li’s Inner Rhythm are also projects Ryan has been instrumental on. As a bandleader Ryan released his debut record, Standing On the Edge of Tomorrow.
Ryan currently endorses Canopus Drums and Paiste Cymbals.
