BorderLions Live

Lily White – Saxophones
Gregory Jones – Bass
Tatsuya Sakurai – Guitar
Todd Isler – Drums & Percussion

BorderLions brings together four accomplished musicians whose diverse backgrounds in jazz and world music create a vibrant, genre-crossing sound rooted in improvisation and global traditions.

Lily White, saxophonist and composer, has performed with the Jimmy McGriff Quartet and toured internationally with Mario Bauzá's Latin Jazz Orchestra. A recipient of grants from both the National Endowment for the Arts and Meet The Composer, she has released several acclaimed recordings, including Somewhere Between Truth and Fiction, No Pork Long Line, Big Blue Line, and most recently, Daughter of Fortune. Her current projects include the Swunky Z Brass Band and BorderLions, her latest ensemble dedicated to embracing world music.

Gregory M. Jones is an internationally celebrated bassist whose work spans jazz, Broadway, television, and recording. He appeared on seasons four and five of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and has performed and recorded with artists including Take 6, Nnenna Freelon, Carly Simon, Ute Lemper, Astrud Gilberto, Nat Adderley Jr., and Savion Glover. His recent recordings include 2 AM with Florea, Jones & Lange and Trouble Maker with Aayushi Karnik.

Born and raised in Yamanashi, Japan, Tatsuya Sakurai studied under renowned guitarist Takayuki Kato before further developing his artistry alongside musicians such as Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, Tim Miller, and Jon Damian. Now based in New York City, he performs regularly throughout the region and has recorded with Zawadi Noel on Waiting Room.

Todd Isler is a highly sought-after percussionist whose career spans jazz, rock, and world music. He has collaborated with artists including Joe Lovano, Ivan Neville, Mike Gordon, Dave Liebman, Steve Turre, and David Krakauer, among many others. He is also the author of the acclaimed rhythm book You Can Ta Ka Di Mi This, which explores South Indian rhythmic concepts and has been the basis for master classes at institutions including NYU and The Collective in New York.

Join BorderLions for an evening of adventurous music that moves effortlessly across traditions, blending jazz improvisation with influences from around the world.