Live Jazz in SF Bay

Alistair Johnston| Tenor Saxophone Robert Papacica | Guitar Jared Beckstead | Bass Malachi Whitson | Drums Arnie Sainz | Piano Bio: Arnie Sainz is a pianist, composer, and educator based in New York City. Drawing inspiration from his firm roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, Arnie’s voice spans ensembles and genres, finding his footing in both large-scale new music compositions and intimate improvised music settings. He stays active as a leader and a sideman all around NYC, performing at notable venues including Dizzy’s Club, Bar Bayeux, Jazz Club at the Aman, Arthur’s Tavern, and many more. His debut trio album Darts was released by Adhyâropa Records in June 2023, featuring Marshal Herridge, Tony Moreno, and a fresh lineup of energetic original compositions. His playing can be heard on numerous recordings alongside acclaimed artists including Michael Rodriguez, Ron McClure, Alan Ferber, and Drew Gress. As a composer/arranger, Arnie has written for a wide array of musical acts and award-winning films. Most notably, his arrangement of Matthew Fullen’s composition “Elegant” was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition for the 2024 Taiwan Golden Melody Awards. Recently, his film score for the award-winning documentary Even In Darkness was featured at the 2025 Brooklyn Film Festival. Currently, Arnie is in post-production for his upcoming septet album Driftwood Children , which is set to release soon on Pinch Records featuring saxophonist Billy Drewes and trombonist Alan Ferber. His current personal projects include the Arnie Sainz-Michael Dudley Jazz Orchestra, awardee of the 2024 New Music USA Creator Fund, and the Arnie Sainz Quintet which has been touring regularly in preparation for a new recording project. Arnie is an adjunct faculty member at New York University’s Steinhardt School, and is a member of the BMI Jazz Composer’s Workshop.

Alistair Johnston| Tenor Saxophone Robert Papacica | Guitar Jared Beckstead | Bass Malachi Whitson | Drums Arnie Sainz | Piano Bio: Arnie Sainz is a pianist, composer, and educator based in New York City. Drawing inspiration from his firm roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, Arnie’s voice spans ensembles and genres, finding his footing in both large-scale new music compositions and intimate improvised music settings. He stays active as a leader and a sideman all around NYC, performing at notable venues including Dizzy’s Club, Bar Bayeux, Jazz Club at the Aman, Arthur’s Tavern, and many more. His debut trio album Darts was released by Adhyâropa Records in June 2023, featuring Marshal Herridge, Tony Moreno, and a fresh lineup of energetic original compositions. His playing can be heard on numerous recordings alongside acclaimed artists including Michael Rodriguez, Ron McClure, Alan Ferber, and Drew Gress. As a composer/arranger, Arnie has written for a wide array of musical acts and award-winning films. Most notably, his arrangement of Matthew Fullen’s composition “Elegant” was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition for the 2024 Taiwan Golden Melody Awards. Recently, his film score for the award-winning documentary Even In Darkness was featured at the 2025 Brooklyn Film Festival. Currently, Arnie is in post-production for his upcoming septet album Driftwood Children , which is set to release soon on Pinch Records featuring saxophonist Billy Drewes and trombonist Alan Ferber. His current personal projects include the Arnie Sainz-Michael Dudley Jazz Orchestra, awardee of the 2024 New Music USA Creator Fund, and the Arnie Sainz Quintet which has been touring regularly in preparation for a new recording project. Arnie is an adjunct faculty member at New York University’s Steinhardt School, and is a member of the BMI Jazz Composer’s Workshop.