Pianist Keith Saunders’ formative years in jazz happened in Los Angeles, and then came a quarter century making up Keith’s New York years, notably centered around the New York HardBop Quintet, an outfit he co-led which had an eight year run, touring extensively and recording four cds, two of them with Rudy Van Gelder at the controls, one with the great Mickey Roker on the drums. When not with the quintet, he was working with top musicians including Richie Cole, Frank Wess and Hank Crawford. In his work, Keith pays deep homage to Bud Powell and flows on from there.

Keith migrated to the Bay Area in 2010 and he’s been a key jazz pianist in these parts since. On a scene with more than its share of fantastic keyboard talents, Keith is at the very top echelon. The cats he works with are likewise fabulous, making ours one of the most fertile and satisfying jazz ecosystems. Check  http://keithosaunders.com/ for a little insight!

Tonight, he’s joined by top-flight San Francisco jazz players Smith Dobson V on saxophone, Robert Overbury on bass and Tony Johnson on drums for two sets of standards, jazz classics, bebop and a particular focus on the work of the great Bud Powell.