Geoffrey Keezer and Peter Sprague Unite

Local pianist Geoffrey Keezer and guitarist Peter Sprague teamed up to form a new jazz band that sold out the Saville Theater. The concert served as a CD-release party for their debut, Mill Creek Road. The group features Los Angeles–based bassist Hamilton Price and San Diego drummer Duncan Moore with special guests Zach Harmon on tablas and Erica Ochoa on violin.

The evening began with Sprague's "Thessaloniki," which featured fast piano and guitar lines that periodically dovetailed into pedal-toned passages. Next up was Keezer's waltz "En Babia," based loosely on "Hotel California." This one had lots of piano-bass ostinatos and a guitar solo.

They brought out L.A. percussionist Harmon for "India Zach," which featured a complex, hypnotic tabla solo. Sprague's title track was pastoral, with a nod to the interplay of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. The concert finished strongly with Sprague's samba lullaby "Secret Code."

Sprague and Keezer’s instrumental voices have grown together well, and they've written beautifully complex music that factors in the special abilities of Price and Moore.

• Concert: Geoffrey Keezer-Peter Sprague Band
• Date: January 11
• Venue: Saville Theater, San Diego City College
• Seats: general admission
• Photo: Anthony Cecena