This year’s Concert Series kicked off with jazz group The Taylor Eigsti Trio, who visited the Upper School on September 28.

Having performed for the Concert Series two years ago with different band mates, two-time Grammy Nominee pianist Taylor Eigsti returned last Friday with bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis. Prior to the concert, the trio held a master class for the Upper School jazz band in the auditorium of Nichols Hall.

“They were very receptive to what we had to offer them, and it was great to hear them play and try and do what we were talking about,” Lewis said.

Sporting a fedora and clad in a floral patterned shirt, Eigsti and his trio opened the evening with a casual yet spirited vibe. With flying fingers, intense string plucks, and light cymbal taps, the trio had the audience fully engaged, tapping their feet and nodding their heads to the beat.

“I liked how they played a big variety of [upbeat] jazz music,” said Andrew Wang (11), who plays the trumpet in jazz band and had attended Eigsti’s previous concert. “Two years ago, the songs were not as focused on the piano.”

The concert featured various works including “Somewhere” from West Side Story and the musicians’ own compositions.

“A lot of [our music] is determined in the moment. It is music that sounds like the present,” Eigsti said. “We don’t want to work out too much stuff ahead of time. We don’t know where we’re going to end up, but we trust that it’s going to be cool.”

Aside from the interplay between the piano, bass, and drums, Middle School Performing Arts teacher Dr. David Hart, a childhood friend of Eigsti, and jazz vocalist Laila Smith, who knows Eigsti through jazz education, were also invited to perform.

Dr. Hart concluded the first half of the concert with his trumpet interpretation of Kenny Dorham’s “Lotus Blossom” and later performed one of Lewis’ works, “Decklan’s Song” with the trio. Smith sang one of Eigsti’s compositions, “Midnight After Noon,” which he co-wrote with jazz musician Becca Stevens.

“The best thing in the world is performing with incredible musicians, and Taylor is one of my favorite all-time piano player, musician, and writer,” Smith said. “To be able to be on stage with him [and] share that emotional moment is incredible.”

As Shifflett was passionately swaying from side to side with his bass and Lewis was busy maintaining the beat, Eigsti incorporated unique techniques into his music such as strumming the piano strings with his bare hand and tapping the piano wood.

Near the end of the concert, Eigsti took the center stage unaccompanied and performed one of his own compositions, “Distress,” which was featured in the soundtrack of the movie Detachment. Then performing another one of Eigsti’s and Stevens’ works, the trio concluded the program with “Magnolia.”

Having released three records together, including Resonance, the trio’s history dates back to approximately 15 years ago when Eigsti was just a teenager. Shifflett and Lewis both live in the San Jose area, while Eigsti, who grew up in the Bay Area, now lives in New York City. According to Shifflett, since all three members are close friends and have been playing as a group for several years, performances such as last Friday’s require little rehearsal and preparation.

“If you play with your friends, then rehearsals become less of an issue,” he said. “We’re up there just listening to each other [and] trusting each other.”

All three musicians were inspired to play music by family members at a young age. While Eigsti discovered his passion for jazz from his sister’s involvement with jazz when he was four years old, Lewis was exposed to music by his two brothers, and Shifflett grew up with the musical influences of his parents.

In addition to releasing albums as a trio, Eigsti, who is currently working on a solo piano record, Shifflett, and Lewis have also worked on records with other jazz musicians and groups.

Though no performances have been set and confirmed, the trio hopes to have the opportunity to play together again in the future.