In Los Angeles, he was one of countless promising young jazz musicians, finding their unique voices and finding each other, forming groups and playing for little at bars, restaurants and coffeeshops. It’s a rough slog, but out of that murky pool of developing talent there are always a few that begin to emerge, chrysalides flying free from the cocoon of potential. Sears’ pianistic concept is now fully realized, with an austere, Brahms-ian chordal sense and clarity of purpose in his improvised melodies. His confidence boosted by the implicit affirmation of inclusion in bands by Billy Hart, Mark Turner, Ben Street, Tootie Heath, and Roy McCurdy, Sears has successfully migrated to Brooklyn and recorded his debut, Skyline, on the well-respected label Fresh Sound Records.

Gary Fukushima -LA Weekly