In 2021, amid the Covid lockdowns, Melinda Sullivan and jazz pianist Larry Goldings formed a duet, initially posting an improvisational rendition of Somewhere for a virtual party honoring Sullivan’s father-in-law. Their collaboration quickly gained traction, sparking conversations among jazz musicians, tap dancers, and broader music fans, with figures like Sheila E., Robert Glasper, and Questlove joining the dialogue. As Covid restrictions lifted in 2022, they began performing live, blending jazz, funk, commercial dance, and underground tap. Their unique, eclectic sound attracted a dedicated following on Instagram and Patreon, with fans seeking their improvised performances in Southern California clubs.
Their work is part of a historical jazz-tap tradition dating back to the 1920s, when jazz music and tap dance developed in parallel. This tradition was cemented by the 1921 Broadway show Shuffle Along and further popularized by The Cotton Club in 1984. While this collaboration had gone underground since the early 2000s, Goldings and Sullivan’s platform has reignited public interest. Goldings praised Sullivan's talents, calling him a great jazz instrumentalist. Jazz journalist Allen Morrison noted that their sound forms a new kind of jazz piano trio, with Goldings playing piano and synth bass, and Sullivan providing percussion on a portable board. Their upcoming album Big Foot released in August 2024 on Colorfield Records.
Doors at 8 PM.