Michael Orenstein Quartet with Barclay Moffit, Corbin Jones & Efa Etoroma Jr.

Michael Orenstein (piano), Barclay Moffit (tenor saxophone), Corbin Jones (bass), Efa Etoroma Jr. (drums)

Michael Orenstein is a jazz pianist based in Los Angeles. His unique sound, characterized by Jazz Radio Barcelona as a combination of “rhythmic richness, creativity, and modern language,” has garnered him significant recognition as a leader and sideman. In May 2022, he signed with Origin Records for the release of his debut record, Aperture, which has received high praise and radio play from jazz publications and stations around the world. AllAboutJazz writes “The musical expertise and interplay are first-class and there is a full measure of pleasing music from start to finish.” Since Aperture’s release, Orenstein has had the most exciting year of his career to date, from taking on the role of interim pianist/keyboardist in the legendary HR Bigband (Frankfurt) directed by Jim McNeely, to touring and leading workshops in New Zealand with the Lauren Ellis Quartet, the Bahamas with Giveton Gelin, and the Netherlands with Nick Adema.  He also won Jazztimes Top Track 2022, and First Prize in the 2022 Inner Urge Music Competition (Italy).  Aside from international touring, Orenstein currently maintains a busy schedule playing gigs in the Los Angeles Area, as well as periodically filling in for jazz greats Alan Pasqua and Russell Ferrante as piano professor at USC Thornton School of Music. Orenstein’s success so far is largely due to his musical upbringing.

Hailing from Berkeley, CA, Orenstein was surrounded by a vibrant jazz community at a young age. Through programs at SFJazz, the Jazzschool, and Berkeley High, he got to play with Terrence Blanchard, Christian McBride, and Wycliffe Gordon. He earned a B.M from Oberlin, where he received the Wendell Logan Award in Jazz Studies, and met trumpet legend Eddie Henderson, who is his mentor to this day. During his time in Ohio from 2013-2017, he was selected for the Banff Workshop in Jazz, received 3 compositions awards from Downbeat Magazine, and won an ASCAP Young Jazz Composers award. He also toured the Midwest with Chilean jazz guitarist and vocalist Camila Meza.

In 2018 Orenstein moved to LA, where he quickly gained traction on the jazz scene. During his first few years, he received accolades from many institutions and competitions, including the Bridges Composition Competition (winner), the Hancock Institute Auditions (finalist), the American Jazz Pianist Competition (finalist), and the International Piano Competition in South Africa (“Best Performance of the South African Piece”). It was his second time in SA, where he also went on tour, recorded an album, and led workshops.

In 2021, Orenstein earned his M.M. at USC, where he was awarded the assistantship position for Alan Pasqua and Jason Goldman.

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

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

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