Steve Reynolds

I’ve brought many friends to live shows. Mostly very abstract avant-garde music. Most like or even loved it. All have different backgrounds in listening. One is a huge Dead listener (like me). Others are into Tool, popular music or are into straight jazz, modern punk or post punk. None had ever heard any of the music I go see live as most of it is beneath the underground and seemingly incomprehensible. Much more “out” than the great mid 60’s Miles quintet. key is that they go in with little pre-conceived ideas about what it or or try to understand it. With an open mind most anyone will find something to like with genius master musicians improvising in a small intimate room. Mat Maneri, Hamid Drake, Gerry Hemingway, David Torn, Ches Smith, Nate Wooley, Brandon Lopez, Nels Cline, Randy Peterson, Darius Jones, Mary Halvorson, Tomeka Reid, Michael Foster, Tyshawn Sorey, Chuck Roth, Tom Rainey or Tony Malaby playing in front of an unsuspecting listener? Almost all can’t believe nobody knows these musicians after the shows. They know it’s “out” but they don’t hear it the way serious straight ahead jazz listeners hear it. A few struggled with the purely improvised stuff but most get into the actual playing. My wife liked it. Sometimes the screaming altissimo stuff might get her a bit nervous, but she LOVED the drummers.

Chris Cochrane is a great guitarist. Andrew Drury is a fine drummer. Where & when? Maybe I can drive up to Kingston area if it’s there. I looked! Untouchable Bar but no time listed. Jill Burton is some sort of singer, I see.

Tonight at The Stone Tomeka Reid, Ikue Mori & Tomas Fujiwara

Last night Camila Nebbia on tenor saxophone, Chuck Roth on guitar, Ryan Sawyer on drums Duo with Chuck & Camila Duo with Camila & Ryan trio / the trio was an intense genius level 38 minute improvisation with Chuck destroying my mind. No one has ever played guitar like this.

Last night at Roulette John Zorn’s Cobra the 4th time I’ve seen it over the past 2-3 years. As good as ever. Best performers Ches Smith (as always) although he was stage right while I was front row 2 seats from Zorn’s prompting position center stage. Simon Hanes, John Medeski, Kenny Wolleson, Billy Martin, Wendy Eisenberg were very effective. Cool to have Medeski’s Hammond B3 (with the big Leslie rotating amp) right next to Martin. The bassists were both great as well, Jorge Roeder & Henry Fraser as well as the cellist, Jay Campbell. SO much fun. The musicians & crowd love it.

53 minute continuous piece / recency bias but one of the greatest sets I’ve ever witnessed. The intensity & power of this trio is boundless. Ches’ electronics were deeper & heavier than last week & David played the disruptor as well as being even grittier than last week. Wowza.

Same band, same time, same place. 15 minutes until take off:)

Last night in brooklyn Brandon Seabrook solo tenor banjo Chuck Bettis on electronics duo with Nava Dunkelman on percussion then a short trio

Last night at Lowlands Son of Goldfinger Tim Berne, David Torn & Ches Smith 50 minute piece with 11 minute short piece to close all improvised as is the group’s way incredible as always. First show of the group in over a year. Playing again next Tuesday. Ches Smith is a force of nature. Best playing I’ve heard from David Torn. Peaking at 72, apparently:)

Recency bias but Webb Crawford last night played as great on guitar as anyone I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen Webb many times over the past 2 years but last night Webb was driving that trio madly. 23, 12 & 13 minute improvisations. Wowza tonight Webb & Chuck duo trio with Michael Foster, Leila Boudreuil & Corsano Leila is an incredible cellist. This trio should be great. Early 6:00 gig in Brooklyn.

I’d give my right pinky finger to see Brandon, Steve & Gerald Cleaver again. Saw them in December 2019. Maybe one day Cleaver will come back to NYC. Brandon & Steve are off to Europe today for 2 gigs. One in Antwerp tomorrow and the second in Amsterdam on Saturday.

Last night in Brooklyn Steve Baczkowski, Brandon Lopez & Chuck Roth Baczkowski is among the greatest saxophonists on the planet. the opening unaccompanied solo to start the short second set was one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard. Brandon was beyond even his very high standards. Most intense playing I’ve heard from him a while. And besides John Edwards, no bassist brings it like Brandon Lopez. Too bad I don’t see Edwards live. I’m very grateful I see Lopez play at least 10-15 times a year. Probably more than that. He’s playing shit that no one else even knows exists. Chuck Roth was a bit differential but it’s understandable. First time playing with Steve. Chuck was typically brilliant again playing stuff I’ve never heard him play before. Like Brandon but to a lesser extent, I’m gifted to be able to see the *great* Chuck Roth play often probably at least once a month for the last 2 plus years. No one has ever played the guitar like Chuck Roth. tonight at The Stone Trevor Dunn, Webb Crawford & Chris Corsano

Last night at Close Up Nate Wooley, Sylvie Courvoisier & Chis Corsano 46 & 42 minute sets. Stunning.

Ordered

Seeing Ghost with Joe McPhee again on 10/1 in Philly Ghost is Michael Foster, John Moran & Joey Sullivan last year they were spectacular at Tubby’s in Kingston, NY. McPhee played the foil to Michael. Deep respect for the great young saxophonist/musical inventor. Foster is the best of his generation as far as NYC saxophonists go. I’ve seen the trio with Michael, Webb & Joey at least 5 times over the last 18 months. Seeing Webb with Trevor Dunn & Chris Corsano on 8/27 at The Stone. Webb is one of the best improvisers on guitar I’ve heard. Along with Chuck Roth & Luciana Bass, the best young improvisors I’ve heard on the guitar. Fwiw the trio recordings with Sandy Ewen, Damon Smith & Weasel Walter are all spectacular. Sandy Ewen is a genius. Plus she’s great to watch music with. Big ears.