Spike Wilner - Trio Contrafactus with special guest Peter Bernstein

Spike Wilner's career took off in New York's vibrant jazz scene, performing at iconic venues like the Village Gate and becoming a fixture at Smalls Jazz Club, where he recorded "Late Night: Live At Smalls." Over the past 15 years, he's collaborated with jazz greats such as Peter Bernstein, Joe Magnarelli, Grant Stewart, Jesse Davis, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotundi, Joe Farnsworth, Bob Mover, Ian Hedrickson-Smith, Ryan Kisor, Steve Davis, Ralph Lalama, Paul Gill, Neal Miner, Joe Strasser, Ari Roland, Chris Byars, Sherman Irby, Joel Frahm, Omer Avital, Stephon Harris and many others. An accomplished educator, Spike has taught at institutions like the Brooklyn Conservatory and Juilliard. With several albums to his name, including "Portraits" and "Planet Jazz: In Orbit," Spike Wilner continues to captivate audiences with his masterful improvisation and deep understanding of jazz history. In one of the his first reviews at Smalls, New York Times Peter Watrous had this to say about Spike Wilner: “Mr. Wilner is obviously intoxicated with the flow and dance of the great pianists who graced jazz in the 1940’s and 50’s and his lines, surging and rhythmically powerful, were convincing. Mr. Wilner is completely at home at what he’s doing and in his hands the rules of an idiom disappear, leaving an improvisational flexibility that’s available only to soloists who have really spent time learning their subject.” Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in numerous recordings and performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has released nine albums and a DVD. As a sideman Peter has appeared in groups led by Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman, Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Fathead Newman, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb and many more. Current projects include his album, Monk, with Doug Weiss and Bill Stewart, a recently released solo record, Solo Guitar – Live at Smalls, and the highly acclaimed organ trio with organist Larry Goldings and drummer Bill Stewart. Band Lineup: Spike Wilner, piano Peter Bernstein, guitar Paul Guill, bass Anthony Pinciotti, drums