Who we are

Pavel & Direct Contact delivers high-energy, fiery performances in the spirit of today’s leading Latin Jazz innovators. Led by internationally renowned Dominican pianist and Chicago Music Awards nominee Pavel Polanco-Safadit, the band creates an unforgettable fusion of Latin Jazz, Salsa, and Latin-infused American pop.

With members who have performed across the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia, Pavel & Direct Contact brings together Indy Jazz Hall-of-Famers, acclaimed studio musicians, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra players, and internationally recognized artists. Collectively, they have shared the stage with icons such as Ray Charles, Peter Erskine, Kenny G, Dave Valentin, Max Weinberg, Patti LaBelle, Roscoe Mitchell, Gunther Schuller, The Who, The Moody Blues, Rod Stewart, Ben E. King, and Henry Mancini.

Their signature sound blends vibrant horns, irresistible Latin rhythms, and dynamic vocals in both Spanish and English. Since their debut The Other Side (2016), the group has released a string of celebrated albums on AireBorn Records: Rush Hour (2017), D’la Calle (2018), Americanisao (2019), and Día Bonito (2021), as well as the popular single “You” (2020) and the fan-favorite collection Essentials (2023).

In 2025, Grammy-winning Dominican singer-songwriter Pavel Núñez and renowned Latin jazz pianist and composer Pavel Polanco-Safadit joined forces to release their groundbreaking new album, “De Pavel a Pavel”. The collaboration, featuring Polanco-Safadit’s acclaimed band Pavel & Direct Contact, fuses genres and cultures to create a vibrant and engaging musical journey.

The album, sponsored by Indianapolis Jazz Foundation/Indy Jazz Fest, highlights Núñez’s evocative vocals and poetic lyricism alongside Polanco-Safadit’s virtuosic piano melodies and the infectious energy of Pavel & Direct Contact. Recorded in Indianapolis, IN at 416 Wabash Studios, the project represents a cultural and musical partnership between Dominican Republic and Indianapolis. 

Current band members include Leah Crane (vocals), Pavel Polanco-Safadit (piano), Steve Dokken (bass), David Allee (bongos), Keith Cozart (drum set/timbales), Rich Cohen (sax), Rich Dole (trombone), Ed Zlaty (trumpet), and José Febres, Gerardo Becerra, & Andre Rosa-Artis (congas).

Beyond the stage, Pavel serves as “Artist in Residence” at Butler University and Eskenazi Hospital. Pavel is also a proud Recording Academy member and an official voting member for both the GRAMMY® Awards and the Latin GRAMMY® Awards. Whether you come with dancing shoes or simply an open heart, a Pavel & Direct Contact performance will immerse you in a vibrant world of rhythm, connection, and joy.