【Palo Alto】 Anthony Wonsey Quartet: Sobriety Sessions (Sat 6/13 - 5 pm)

Join us for an evening with pianist Anthony Wonsey and his quartet at Meyhouse Jazz.

This performance centers around Sobriety Sessions, a deeply personal program of fresh arrangements, original music, and spontaneous musical exchange. As Wonsey describes it, “This is all the music we came up with when my mind cleared. These are fresh new arrangements on songs with new friends and a new lease on life.”

Known for his dynamic touch, deep swing, and highly collaborative spirit, Wonsey is a pianist who listens deeply — to the musicians around him, to the energy in the room, and to the tradition behind every melody. His music is rooted in hard bop and post-bop, but it is never fixed in place. A familiar standard can open into something unexpected; an original tune can shift with the moment; a groove can become a conversation.

For this Meyhouse Jazz performance, Wonsey leads a dynamic quartet shaped by experience, imagination, and live interaction.

Expect an evening of expressive modern jazz, inventive arrangements, and music created in the moment.

Artist Lineup
Anthony Wonsey — Piano
Ivan Polyanskiy — Alto Saxophone
Billy Edwards — Bass
Sylvia Cuenca — Drums

Artist Bio

Chicago native Anthony Wonsey is one of the most distinctive pianists in modern jazz, known for his imaginative arrangements, dynamic compositions, and deep connection to the hard bop and post-bop traditions.

His musical path began early, shaped by his mother, Darlene, a classically trained pianist; trumpeter Zilner Randolph, musical director for Louis Armstrong’s band; and countless hours listening to jazz with his father in the family basement.

Wonsey went on to receive a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he performed with Roy Hargrove and Antonio Hart while still a student. He later toured with Kenny Garrett and Nnenna Freelon, before being recruited by legendary drummer Elvin Jones to join Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine, with whom he performed for five years.

Over the years, Wonsey has toured and recorded with many leading artists, including Wallace Roney, Nicholas Payton, Chico Freeman, Jeremy Pelt, Charles Tolliver, Louis Hayes, Clark Terry, Russell Malone, Donald Harrison, Carmen Lundy, and Phil Woods.