James Fernando Trio

About the trio (short):

Hailed as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” James Fernando and his Philly-based jazz trio masterfully present a refreshing take on the piano trio format. Featuring Sam Harris on bass and Kyon Williams on drums, this band invites audiences to enjoy a joyful, sensitive, and exciting journey steeped in the tradition of jazz greats while standing firmly in the present. 

About the trio (long):

James Fernando has been hailed by World Music Report as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” by Jazz Sensibilities as “limitless in his ability to articulate his ideas,” and by Contemporary Fusion Reviews as “creating one of the most amazing musical experiences you’ve ever had.”

After building an impressive career with international performances, collaborations with GRAMMY award-winning artists, and five album releases, James connected with bassist Sam Harris and drummer Kyon Williams to form the James Fernando Trio in 2023. In spite of recently forming, the trio has already developed into one of the finest jazz ensembles active today. They have been presented nationwide at leading venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Ravenscroft and have held workshops and concerts at universities around the country.

Based in Philadelphia, the James Fernando Trio creates music steeped in the tradition of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, and Thelonious Monk. The trio performs jazz standards and original compositions with playfulness and a toe-tapping sense of swing. In addition to their technical mastery, the group brings the jazz genre to present day by introducing new improvisational language, clever arrangements, and fascinating rhythms which captivate audiences. Dynamic, powerful, and downright fun, the James Fernando Trio brings a show to town you will not want to miss.

Individual Bios:

James Fernando - Piano

Pianist James Fernando creates music that lies at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music. He uses innovative original compositions to bring dynamic and joyful performances to some of the world’s most renowned stages. A Berklee College of Music graduate, James has five albums to his name and has collaborated with award winning artists internationally.

Kyon Williams - Drums

K Y O N is a multifaceted artist who combines elements of instrumental music, music production, and deejaying into the music that he creates. A Philadelphia native who started off playing the drums in the gospel scene, he later attended Temple University where he studied jazz performance. K Y O N's sound spans the spectrum of Afrofuturist jazz to progressive R&B and envelope-stretching dance music. He has performed at esteemed venues and festivals such as The Kimmel Center, Lincoln Financial Field, and The Philadelphia Flower Show. A staple of the Philadelphia music scene, he plans one day to open his own venue.

Sam Harris - Bass

High levels of musical awareness, a deep understanding of his instrument, and an unyielding groove have marked Samuel Harris as one of the premiere musicians and bass players of his generation. Originally born in Toledo, Ohio, Samuel’s artistry is the culmination of mentorship and training under musicians from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Santiago de Cuba. He holds two degrees from Temple University; an undergraduate degree in Jazz Performance, earned in 2016, and a master’s degree in Classical Performance, earned in 2019. His presence onstage is immediately recognizable; not only does he demonstrate the fundamentals and nuances of bass playing that were taught to him by his musical forbearers, he also blends in his unique experiences with Cuban music and culture to create an approach to the bass that is rich with tradition, rhythmically liberated, and spiritually saturated. Samuel has shared the stage with some of the most important names in music including Roger Humphries, Sean Jones, Terell Stafford, and the members of La Luz Del Son, a traditional Cuban music ensemble which he music directs.

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