LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Allison, Cardenas, & Nash
Bassist Ben Allison, guitarist Steve Cardenas, and saxophonist Ted Nash return to the piano store. With over 25 years of creative collaboration, they weave musical conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise, modeled after reedist/composer Jimmy Giuffre’s drummerless trios of the 1950s and 60s. They will be celebrating their upcoming album Triological, to be released on Sunnyside Records in April 2026. It will feature new original compositions written by each of them.
General Admission
$35 in advance / $40 at the door
We are offering a limited number of seats for this performance. Advance purchase is recommended. Masking is optional.
ALLISON, CARDENAS, & NASH
Back in 2012, Ben and guitarist Steve Cardenas were casually talking about their shared admiration for the legendary guitarist and composer Jim Hall. Their discussion soon drifted to the groundbreaking, drummerless trios of the 1950s led by reedist Jimmy Giuffre—groups where Hall often played a key role. While much of the jazz world was leaning into louder, more expressionistic territory, on the heels of the big band era that had preceded it, Hall and Giuffre were charting a different course, crafting intimate, spacious music rooted in blues and folk, while also embracing the emerging qualities of free playing. Inspired by this subtle yet powerful approach, Ben and Steve began envisioning a modern-day project in the same spirit. Ben reached out to longtime friend and Jazz Composers Collective collaborator, saxophonist Ted Nash, who immediately loved the concept. A concert was quickly arranged—and by the end of the first set, it was clear: the chemistry was undeniable.
Allison, Cardenas & Nash create music that is intimate and highly conversational — a ‘musical trialogue,’ where group interplay is the focus. Together, they weave conversations that are full of subtlety and surprise. The trio takes a collaborative approach to arranging, each bringing their own voice to the table. They've released four acclaimed albums: Quiet Revolution (2018 Sonic Camera), Somewhere Else - West Side Story Songs (2019 Plastic Sax), Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley (2022 Sunnyside/Sonic Camera), and Tell the Birds I Said Hello: The Music of Herbie Nichols (2024, Sonic Camera).
The trio has performed on stages all over the world. Recent highlights include Providencia Jazz Festival (Santiago, Chile), Havana Jazz Festival (Cuba), Barcelona Jazz Festival (Spain), Seixal Jazz Festival (Portugal), Angra Jazz Festival (Azores, Portugal), Litchfield Jazz Festival (Connecticut), to name a few.
BEN ALLISON
In a career that spans over 30 years, bassist, composer, producer and educator Ben Allison has developed his own instantly identifiable sound. Known for his inspired arrangements, inventive grooves and hummable melodies, Ben draws from the jazz tradition and a range of influences from rock and folk to 20th century and a broad range of music from around the world, seamlessly blending them into a cinematic, cohesive whole. benallison.com
STEVE CARDENAS
Guitarist Steve Cardenas began his musical career in Kansas City and has been an integral part of the New York City jazz community since 1995. Steve has performed and recorded with many well-known and highly esteemed musicians. He is a well-respected educator co-author, along with editor Don Sickler, of the Thelonious Monk Fakebook, Hal Leonard Publishing. stevecardenasmusic.com
TED NASH
Born in Los Angeles into a musical family, Ted Nash has that uncanny ability to mix freedom with substance, blues with intellect, and risk-taking with clarity. He is a co-founder of the New York-based Jazz Composers Collective, a musician-run, non-profit innovative entity dedicated to presenting the original works of composers pushing the boundaries of their self-expression. Nash has also become one of the most significant jazz composers of the 21st century. Receiving two Grammy® Awards, “Presidential Suite” is his most significant work, inspired by great political speeches of the 20th century. tednash.com