SANTA CRUZ >> Pascal and Remy Le Boeuf are identical twins, and it is not just physical traits that they share. They also have a mutual love of music, and even as they have forged different paths as jazz musicians, they still take the time to perform together under the moniker of the Le Boeuf Brothers.

“Being in a band together as siblings, as twins is an opportunity to stay in touch, to check in and to be connected throughout our lives,” said Pascal.

Together, the New York-based Le Boeuf Brothers have released five albums since 2009, collaborated with fellow New Yorkers the JACK Quartet on an album that featured a piece reciting the Franz Kafka short story “A Dream” and have toured throughout the world and played at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Monterey Jazz Festival. Their next concert July 28 will bring them back to Santa Cruz, where they were born and raised, for a show at Kuumbwa Jazz.

Remy is looking forward to returning home.

“It feels great,” he said. “Santa Cruz is a huge part of who we are, and the community at Kuumbwa is what shaped us, so it’s real nice to bring our music back home and be a part of that.”

The Le Boeufs, 38, were drawn to music at a young age, and they were thrilled to grow up in an environment where they learned from local musicians. Pascal credits the late jazz pianist Gene Lewis with lighting the spark that got him and Remy into jazz in their youth. Another major influence was Ray Brown, longtime Cabrillo College jazz instructor. They also were involved in local music education programs like the Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, and they shared bills with the likes of Chick Corea and Clark Terry before graduating from Pacific Collegiate School in 2004.

“There’s a wonderful community of musicians in Santa Cruz that inspired us to jump on the train,” said Pascal.

The brothers were also influenced by jazz musicians like Brian Blade, Joshua Redman and Kurt Rosenwinkel, but they continue to take inspiration from all over. Lately, Remy has been inspired by Thom Yorke, the lead singer of Radiohead, who has also branched out into other projects like The Smile, Atoms for Peace and his own solo career.

“I really like his songwriting and his production style and his songs,” he said.

Pascal said he recently saw Santa Cruz saxophonist Donny McCaslin in Nashville directing a symphony performing “Blackstar,” the final album by David Bowie, which McCaslin also played on.

“I like hybrid projects that involve musicians from different backgrounds, so it was really neat to see Donny who I’ve always admired as a modern jazz musician playing alongside classical artists and people from experimental rock and creating this cohesive unified statement,” he said.

Both brothers have had their own solo projects, separately collaborated with different artists and have even taken jazz educator positions in different states, with Remy serving as director of jazz and commercial studies at the University of Denver and Pascal recently taking an assistant professor post at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, they continue to collaborate as the Le Boeuf Brothers as a way to stay connected, with Pascal playing piano and Remy playing saxophone.

“We’re both so busy now that we don’t get to hang out with each other unless we’re making music together,” said Remy. “Having a band is a good excuse to spend time together and explore creative projects together.”

While the brothers have returned to play in Santa Cruz County over the years in venues such as Don Quixote’s and Kuumbwa Jazz, this upcoming show is the first the Le Boeuf Brothers have been back on their home turf since Pascal won his first Grammy in February. He earned the award collaborating with the Akropolis Reed Quintet and drummer Christian Euman on a commissioned piece titled “Strands,” a nearly eight-minute long epic that pays tribute to some of Pascal’s heroes, including Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Geri Allen and Leonard Bernstein.

“Each of whom were very inspiring as composers and performers and musicians who challenged typical modes of expression in their times,” said Pascal.

“Strands” won the award for Best Instrumental Composition, beating out big names like Chick Corea and Andre 3000.

“It was a big surprise for everyone involved,” said Pascal. “We really were just focused on making the music, and it made me really happy when it worked out because it reflects well on the wonderful people I got to collaborate with on that project who worked really hard.”

Euman will be joining the brothers for the Kuumbwa Jazz show, as will bassist Reuben Rogers. One of Remy’s favorite things about playing music is the connections he builds, whether with other performers or those simply listening and watching.

“Connecting with people through music is something that makes it fulfilling for me, whether it’s connecting with audiences, connecting with myself or connecting with other folks in the band that I’m making music with,” he said. “It can be a very powerful, intimate experience, and I’m happy to connect with people through music.”

The concert will feature a mix of music from the Le Boeufs’ past projects as well as a new, currently untitled piece from Remy commissioned by Chamber Music America, which will be making its world premiere.

Pascal said he always enjoys coming back to Santa Cruz, especially as the place that fostered a love of music for him and his brother.

“It’s always a joy to catch up with everyone and to return to a place where we were so inspired by music,” he said.

The show is 7 p.m. July 28 at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Doors open at 6. Tickets are $34.97 for advance general admission, $31.50 for members in advance, $36.75 at the door and $18.50 for students with IDs. For more information, go to KuumbwaJazz.org.