Carmen Sandim

Carmen Sandim, an engaging jazz pianist, blends the harmonically sophisticated language of post-bop with the traditions of her native Brazil. Attention first came her way in the 2000s once she had relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where her debut album, the 2011 release Brand New, showcased cornetist Ron Miles.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sandim pursued her studies at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, collaborating there with figures such as Luciana Souza, Vuk Kulenovic, and Ed Tomasi. After completing a B.M. in Film Scoring she settled in Washington, D.C., creating music for television, radio, and political advertisements while founding her own production company and earning several Addy Awards for compositional excellence. In 2005 she moved to Boulder, Colorado, obtaining an M.M. in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado; from that base she began performing locally and teaching at University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Her first album, Brand New, appeared in 2011 under the production of Art Lande. Structured as a quartet date, the recording paired the pianist with fellow Colorado luminary cornetist Ron Miles along with saxophonist Danny Meyer, guitarist Matt Fuller, bassist Jean-Luc Davis, and drummer Josh Moore. A 2016 grant from Pathways to Jazz supported the making of her sophomore effort, which arrived two years later as the Lande-produced Play Doh. Among its contributors were Kneebody trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Bruce Williamson, guitarist Khabu Doug Young, and additional musicians.