“CONNECTED” was formed in 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdown, bassist Richie Goods and vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu had frequent conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement and the unwarranted hate crimes against Asians. They decided to do a project that would unify people and invoke imagery of love and peace. As often happens, music was the catalyst that bridged the gap and resulted in a rare collaboration; a partnership that produced Chien Chien’s debut album, The Path leading them to cement their musical relationship by creating “CONNECTED”, their band featuring Miki Hayama on keys, Quintin Zoto-guitar and Allan Mednard-drums and of course Richie Goods-bass and Chien Chien-vibes. Together, Richie and Chien Chien are “CONNECTED”, creating an exciting, new, energetic listening experience and attracting new audiences everywhere.
Richie Goods the youngest person ever inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame, graduated from the Berklee College of Music, and moved to New York City, where he studied under jazz legends Ron Carter and Ray Brown. Richie then toured and recorded with Mulgrew Miller for nine years, affording him the opportunity to then play with the Headhunters, Lenny White, Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, Milt Jackson, Russell Malone, Vincent Herring, the Manhattan Transfer, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera. Richie’s lengthy discography also includes Grammy award-winning and platinum albums of Alicia Keys and Common. Richie most recently toured with Grammy winning trumpeter, Chris Botti and Sting.
Chien Chien Lu is a vibraphonist, contemporary percussionist, and composer whose Taiwanese upbringing, classical music education, and passion for groove define her fresh, distinctive approach to contemporary jazz. Chien Chien has recently been included in the list of 10 Emerging Jazz Artists 2023 by the Recording Academy. Her collaborative album with bassist Richie Goods “connected“ just received 34th Golden Melody Awards “Best Instrumental Album“. Her 2020 debut solo project, The Path, which spent 20 weeks on the Jazz Week Charts Top 20, earned several awards and led to Lu’s being named the “vibraphone rising star” in Downbeat Magazine. Chien Chien has also performed regularly with Jeremy Pelt which was where we first experienced her mastery at the Bach.
Chien Chien Lu – Vibraphone; Richie Goods – Bass; Band Members – TBD