David Roitstein / Larry Koonse Duo

Pianist and composer David Roitstein is director of the jazz program at California Institute of the Arts. He received his degrees from the University of Miami. David moved to Los Angeles in 1981, and together with bassist Charlie Haden, created the innovative and award-winning CalArts Jazz Program in 1983. Since then, he has produced twenty-seven "CalArts Jazz" CDs at Capitol Records (jazzarchive.calarts.edu). While teaching and building the program, Roitstein continued to perform in clubs, concerts and tours, and as a studio musician for film, television and records. A new recording is Conversations, a duo CD with guitarist Larry Koonse (Best Albums of 2015– Downbeat magazine). In October 2007, Roitstein was designated the Mel Powell Chair at CalArts, one of four honorary endowed faculty chairs in the School of Music. (davidroitstein.com)

Born into a musical family, Larry Koonse has been playing the guitar since he was seven years old. In his early years he studied with legendary guitar master Jimmy Wyble, and at the age of fifteen he recorded an album with his father, guitarist Dave Koonse, entitled Dave and Larry Koonse; father and son jazz guitars. In 1984, Larry was the first recipient of a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. Larry is currently a member of Billy Child’s landmark chamber sextet which recently released its second CD titled Autumn: In Moving Pictures. He has received multiple grammy nominations for the aforementioned CD (jazz album of the year and instrumental performance); for the sextet’s first release Lyric (ensemble performance); and for two Luciana Souza releases (best vocal album for Tide and Book of Chet). Koonse has also toured with Mel Torme, Bob Brookmeyer, Billy Childs, John Patitucci, David Friesen, Karrin Allyson, Luciana Souza, Natalie Cole, Bob Mintzer, Tierney Sutton, Peter Erskine, Hubert Laws, Warne Marsh and was a featured performer with the Percy Faith Orchestra on a tour of Japan.

All shows at Sam First are 21+ (no one under the age of 21 will be permitted)

Show Times: 7:30pm & 9:00pm, and a separate ticket is required for each show.

Notice of Recording: Sam First live streams and records all concerts. By entering Sam First, you understand that your image and/or voice might be included in those recordings. Sam First reserves the right to use any photography, video or audio recording taken at this event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.