MIKE SOKOLOWSKI TRIO

Location: Second Stage | Amherst

Address: 194 2nd Street, Amherst, VA 24521

Date: 27 Apr

Established in 2019 amidst the challenges of the Covid lockdown, Michael Sokolowski Trio brings together the talents of Michael Sokolowski on piano, Drew Pompano on bass, and Jim Ralston on drums. The trio’s formation was marked by a sense of unity cultivated during masked rehearsals, a shared love of the music of guitar giant Bill Frisell, and mutual respect for each other’s musicality.

Emphasizing creative arrangements and open-ended improvisations within established compositional forms, Michael Sokolowski Trio draws inspiration from a diverse array of source material. Its repertoire weaves together jazz standards; the American songbook; rock, folk, funk, gospel, and pop – reflecting the trio’s appreciation for the broad spectrum of influences that shape contemporary music in general; and jazz music in particular.

What sets this band apart is its improvisational flexibility. One of the group’s in-the-moment sonic explorations might pull the thread of a harmonic idea shared by seemingly disparate artists – say, Nirvana and Keith Jarrett – and spin it into a new and cohesive piece of music.

Michael, Drew, and Jim find joy and adventure in their music ‑‑ music characterized by an exciting experimental spirit and representing the genuine exploration of sonic possibilities.

Michael Sokolowski has been playing and composing music professionally since the late 1970s releasing 9 records; contributing music to films, videos, and software applications; playing on many diverse recording sessions; and teaching piano and improvisation. Credits include composer/keyboardist/leader of contemporary instrumental ensemble, Sokoband, offering, a trio of multi-instrumentalists with Tim Reynolds and Worth Proffitt and keyboardist for The Electricians and their modernist take on Grateful Dead music. Collaborators include Leroi Moore, David Darling, Steve Kimock, Dave Matthews, Nir Z, Greg Howard and others. Mike’s most recent release is Soul Pilgrimage, an album of duets with guitar virtuoso Tim Reynolds.

Drew Pompano grew up in the orchestral world as a cellist, but turned his focus to bass in college. Cutting his teeth in the VCU scene in Richmond, and later gigging with theater pits and indie folk bands in Chicago, Pompano came to the C’ville music scene excited to learn and listen. Currently a private bass instructor and session player, he also regularly gigs with post-punk staples 7th Grade Girl Fight, and hip-hop acts Front Porch Revival and Vibe Riot. He cherishes playing with the Michael Sokolowski Trio, where collective improvisation allows Pompano to draw on a lifetime of musical learning.

Jim Ralston has played drums in the Charlottesville are since the late 1980s. He draws on a wide range of influences, from world music to jazz, to hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll. He’s performed with a diverse list of artists, including Baaba Seth, The Gladstones, Last Days of May, Ian Gilliam, and many more.