Kali Z. Fasteau
Since no press attended the wonderful and way too rare performance last night by bassoonist KAREN BORCA's ensemble last night in NYC, I'll be the reporter today. They played the music of her late, great husband, saxophonist/composer Jimmy Lyons (Cecil Taylor alumnus). Karen's tone was powerful and exquisite, chordal split notes, and of course, fleet runs the length of her instrument's wide range. Her ensemble was fully sonorous and outstanding: bassist Hill Greene, vibist/percussionist Warren Smith, and drummer Jackson Krall. This was real music, an prime example of deep, creative sounds, full of beautiful intensity.