Cyrus Chestnut Trio

Known as a dextrous phenom on the keys, modern legend Cyrus Chestnut is a musical wonder to behold. The jazz pianist — who’ll be backed by bassist Michael Hawkins and drummer Neal Smith — nimbly crafts moods and emotions into meandering melodies. The trio released Journeys in 2010, etching their fine work into the canon of contemporary jazz. Songs like “Lover” showcase how Chestnut ably straddles the line between abstractions and popular sensibilities. And check out how he takes the music to a dark place momentarily during “Little Jon,” before returning to the song’s spritely theme. Tonight’s show is sure to spotlight the trio’s swanky sounds, allowing the both jazz connoisseurs and novices alike to sit back and relax. (Eric Sandy)