LEIBA Trío Bridges Buenos Aires and New York on Prohibido Andar en Sulky

Rooted in the vibrant jazz scene of Buenos Aires and shaped by years of creative evolution, LEIBA Trío—pianist Santiago Leibson, double bassist Maximiliano Kirszner, and drummer Nicolás Politzer—returns with Prohibido Andar en Sulky on ears&eyes Records. Translating to “No Riding in Sulkies,” the title evokes a playful yet poetic sensibility, perfectly capturing the trio’s dynamic approach to modern jazz: grounded in tradition but ever in motion toward new possibilities.

Formed in 2010, LEIBA Trío began as an experiment in the classic jazz piano trio format, inspired by the greats—from Bill Evans, Herbie Nichols, and Paul Bley to Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, and Andrew Hill—and later expanded their curiosity toward contemporary innovators such as Kris Davis, Craig Taborn, and Benoît Delbecq. Through deep listening and spontaneous interplay, the trio forged a sound that blends structure and freedom, melody and abstraction, intimacy and exploration.

Over the years, the group has developed its voice through multiple incarnations. As the Santiago Leibson Trio, they released Amón (2014) and Pendular (2015) on KUAI Music—records that established their compositional and improvisational synergy. Critics took notice: All About Jazz praised Pendular for its ability to “explore time and space and paint with their musical colors, echoing the masters of the past.” In 2021, under the name Nicolás Politzer Trío, they released Será Niebla (ears&eyes), highlighting Politzer’s compositional voice while maintaining their collective spirit.

Now, reunited under the banner of LEIBA Trío, the ensemble channels more than a decade of collaboration into Prohibido Andar en Sulky. Written entirely by Leibson, the ten-track album was crafted with the trio’s shared history in mind—a testament to the enduring connection between musicians separated by geography but united in sound. Recorded at Ideo Music in Buenos Aires with engineer Mariano Miguez, the sessions capture the energy of their mid-2023 performances: fluid, organic, and brimming with conversational interplay.

Since relocating to New York in 2014, Leibson has maintained strong ties to Buenos Aires, regularly returning to perform and record with Kirszner and Politzer. That cross-continental rhythm—between two cities, two scenes, and two creative worlds—infuses Prohibido Andar en Sulky with both nostalgia and forward motion. The album is a reflection on continuity, change, and the joy of rediscovering musical companionship through distance and time.