Anne Sajdera - It's Here (2024)

The third album by San Francisco-based pianist/composer Anne Sajdera takes listeners on an uplifting and groove-filled journey with Sajdera originals (the title track, "Three Color Study," "Bounce"), familiar standards ("Stella by Starlight," "Michelle"), and a Slovak folk song ("Ach Anička"). Funded in part by a grant from InterMusic SF, the new album, produced by Sajdera, continues in the classic jazz quintet format Anne employed on her previous release ("New Year," 2018) as well as a trio & two solo-piano performances. Personnel includes Gary Brown (b) & Deszon Claiborne (d) plus Mike Olmos (tpt) & Jesse Levit (as). The fiery Czech horn duo Miroslav Hloucal (tpt) & Jan Fečo (as), who were prominently featured on "New Year," return to play on one track. Sajdera, a graduate of the SF Conservatory of Music, debuted as a leader with the Brazilian-themed "Azul" (2012), on which Airto made a guest appearance. (Bob Mintzer was her guest on "New Year.")