The James Fernando Trio returns to Concord Community Music School on Saturday, March 21, 2026 to headline CCMS’s annual Jazz Night Fundraiser. Fernando (above, center) is a Philadelphia-based pianist whose career includes international performances, collaborations with GRAMMY Award–winning artists, and five acclaimed albums.
CCMS: You’ve toured and performed your music in jazz venues and arts centers across the U.S., from Scottsdale and Maryland to New England. How does playing in different regions shape the energy of your show and influence what you do later on?
JF: Meeting audiences and playing in different venues across regions is a truly fantastic experience. No amount of practice can substitute for the “real thing,” which to me is a live show. With each performance comes the audience reactions, discussions with the folks who are working to present the performance, and our own feelings of how the show went. Each show gives us a new opportunity to build off of what came before and discover ways of building an even deeper connection with each other, the music, and our audiences. Plus, all the shared time traveling as a band helps us build deep understandings of one another.
CCMS: When someone comes to their very first jazz show, what do you most want them to notice or feel?
JF: I want to welcome first time jazz listeners to feel the incredible energy that comes from a band that’s deeply locked in and spontaneously playing off of one another. I also want listeners at my shows to come along for the ride and feel the storytelling through music that I try to create with each piece we play. Jazz gets a reputation of being low energy or belonging in the background, and when it’s at its best (and presented well!) it’s a captivating experience for a listener.
CCMS: What makes this trio work, both musically and personally? What does each player bring that couldn’t be replaced?
JF: My bandmates each bring the rare combination of a deep understanding and respect for tradition paired with a fearless ability to look forward and make this music live and breathe in present day.
CCMS: How much of what the audience hears is planned, and how much is created in the moment?
JF: I like to think of improvisation a lot like a conversation. You may show up to coffee with a friend knowing you’re going to ask them for updates on a certain subject and share specific things from your own life. But you probably didn’t show up to that coffee with an agenda written out. It’s a similar mix with the music we play—there’s large sections that are composed, large sections that are made up on the spot, and many things that are created spontaneously but stem from our shared history, much like an inside joke.
CCMS: Can you tell us a bit about your new album, Philly 3 (coming out in Feb 2026)? What was the process of putting it together like, and how did it influence the trio’s live performances?
JF: We recorded Philly 3 over two days at Elm Street Studios in the Philadelphia area. The experience gave us the chance to give ourselves many rounds of feedback while we recorded and listened back leading into the final product. It’s a tough journey to bring music from my imagination into the world through other musicians, and these guys nailed it!
CCMS: You performed at CCMS before during Bach’s Lunch — what stood out to you about that experience or that audience?
JF: Everyone brought such warmth and enthusiasm to our show, both from the audience side and from the folks who work at CCMS. It’s no wonder we are coming back!
CCMS: If someone leaves this Jazz Night Fundraiser remembering just one thing about the experience, what do you hope it is?
JF: That CCMS is a special place worth supporting!
Tickets for the 2026 Jazz Night Fundraiser are $80; $300 for a table of 4. Order now here.
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