Luis Peralta · Marcus Shelby · James Gallagher

Rising star pianist Luis Peralta returns to his Oakland roots for an intimate trio performance with two Bay Area jazz powerhouses. The 22-year-old Oakland native, now Brooklyn-based, brings his contemporary jazz style forged from classical training and serious jazz study to The Sound Room's famously quiet, attentive listening room.

Peralta began piano at age seven and earned a full scholarship to The New School in 2019, where he's pursuing dual degrees in Jazz Studies and Psychology. He's studied with renowned pianists Sullivan Fortner, Fred Hersch, and David Virelles, and performs regularly at New York venues including Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, and The Django. His sound reflects this serious academic foundation while maintaining the contemporary edge of today's post-bop generation.

Joining him is bassist Marcus Shelby, a Charles Mingus Scholar who studied with Charlie Haden and James Newton. Shelby is known for his powerful large ensemble works exploring African American history and social movements, including his acclaimed oratorios "Port Chicago," "Harriet Tubman," and "Soul of the Movement." As Artistic Director of Healdsburg Jazz and a past resident artist with San Francisco Jazz Festival, Shelby brings both compositional depth and mentorship — he's been a teacher and collaborator with Peralta throughout his development.

Drummer James Gallagher, a Berklee alumnus and Manhattan resident, completes the trio. A resident performer at SFJazz Center, he's collaborated with mainstream jazz veterans Mike Ledonne, David Hazeltine, and Grant Stewart at New York's premier jazz rooms including Smalls and Mezzrow.

This performance marks a homecoming of sorts for Peralta, who cut his teeth in the Bay Area scene before establishing himself in New York. The trio format allows his piano work to take center stage, supported by two musicians who understand both the tradition and the future of the music. The Sound Room's intimate 100-seat setting, where strict listening-room etiquette prioritizes the music, creates the perfect environment for hearing the nuanced interplay between these three generations of jazz artists.

Expect contemporary jazz that honors the tradition while pushing forward — the sound of today's scene filtered through the experience of seasoned mentors and the fresh perspective of a rising talent making his mark.