Pianist Christian Sands’ stunning third full-length recording for Mack Avenue Music Group captures and establishes him as a forceful leader in composition and conceptual vision.

On ‘Be Water’, Sands takes inspiration from water’s tranquillity and power and muses on the possibilities offered by echoing its fluidity and malleability.

For this recording, Sands has reunited with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and saxophonist Marcus Strickland, and is joined by trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Steve Davis, guitarist Marvin Sewell, drummer Clarence Penn.

Through ten gorgeous and thrilling pieces, Sands alternately conjures the serenity of a sun-dappled lake and the drama of a relentless thunderstorm. Just embarking on his 30s, Sands has already enjoyed a remarkable career trajectory, touring and recording with Christian McBride’s Inside Straight and Trio, as well as collaborating with the likes of Gregory Porter and Ulysses Owens.

“If there’s an overarching motif to Sands’ career to this point, it’s his ability to astound listeners when they first hear him.” - DownBeat