Connected

Born out of the angst, fear, and strife that engulphed the United States in 2020, bass maestro Richie Goods’ and vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu’s album Connected speaks to the balming power of human contact in the face of alienation. They bring this invigorating new collaborative project to SFJAZZ with a superlative band.  

A veteran accompanist who earned international respect touring and recording with piano great Mulgrew Miller from 1993-2002, Goods got to know the Taiwan-reared Chien, one of the most exciting new voices on her instrument, while touring with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt’s band. Before the advent of Covid they’d already forged a strong musical bond, with Goods producing her award-winning 2020 debut album The Path. But with the sudden lockdown, their musical relationship deepened exponentially as they practiced, performed live streams and composed together. 

Excited by the new music they were creating, often in response to intense discussions about the political upheaval that followed the murder of George Floyd, Goods and Chien decided to co-lead Connected, a band that’s a vehicle for ongoing conversations amongst some of the jazz’s most exciting young improvisers. The self-titled debut album won “Best Instrumental Album” from the 34th Golden Melody Awards from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture.