Steve Reynolds

Since I don’t travel outside the states, there are only a few I’d love to see so one day, I’ll take a trip to see John Edwards and some of the obscure Euros like Goncalo Almeida, Rafal Mazur & Liudas Mockunas, Steve Beresford etc. saw Globe Unity in 2010 plus Joelle’s Tentet. am sorry I missed Louis Moholo-Moholo in the early 2000’s. Also missed Denis Charles, Steve Lacy, Don Pullen, Horace Tapscott & Mal Waldron when I had a chance late in their lives. very blessed I’ve seen all my other favorites at least once. Barry Guy, Mark Sanders, Paul Lovens each only one time. Sunny Murray once. Brotzmann, Evan Parker, Paul Dunmall, Misha & Han all many times. Fred Anderson as well as Edward “Kidd” Jordan a number of memorable times. All the great avant leaning drummers SO many times. Spring 2025 about 10-12 of them in a 2 month period. less shows this year but it will still be 60-70 gigs this year. 2023-25, it was easily over 100 sets each year. The scene this year is a bit down in quality as too many musicians trying to recreate Ayler or 60’s energy based music or playing stale boring compositions.

Zooid playing live on 11/22 at Roulette

Ravi plays tons of gigs in NYC Saw him at a tiny spot with the *great* Sandy Ewen, the *amazing* Damon Smith & James Paul Nadien on drums a couple of years back. He was especially good on tenor.

Transylvanian Dance RIP, sir

Rarely do I order historical jazz but Stan Tracey & this crew were great. Ordered the 3 CD set. great horn players all

Very very blessed to see the great man more than a few times. Recently his music has been resonating with me more than ever.

Tell me more

Very few of the current younger improvising musicians can exist without grants, teaching or working a full time job. I’m sure it’s true for more straight ahead jazz musicians as well. It’s a microscopic market & listener base.

I also like this band. I’ve seen them 3-4 times and when they transitioned into tunes, the improvisation was very organic & effective. I’ve never seen Roebke use effects. I like Mary’s effects laden playing unless she gets carried away.

Besides Mary on guitar, who is using electronics?

I’ve seen Berne about 30 - 35 times over the past 3 years. His alto playing is at a very high level. I like most of his compositions when they open up for improvisation but they can sometimes end up knotty with dead ends. the freely improvised groups are more to my liking. Especially with Trevor Dunn in the groups. 5 great gigs over the past 6 weeks. 3 were Sun of Goldfinger with David Torn & Ches Smith. twice I saw a quintet with Greg Belisle-Chi, Aliya Ultan, Trevor & Ches. The second gig top 2-3 set I’ve seen this year. Stunning 56-57 improv with a 15 minute coda that kept up the genius level collective improvising. Tim knows how to lead a band. Gives the musicians space & the Trevor/Ches motor is something to behold.

Last night at Solar Myth in Philly Sun of Goldfinger Tim Berne, David Torn & Ches Smith 59 minute piece with 18 minute coda Last Tuesday reprise of the Berne band with Aliya Ultan on cello, Greg Belisle-Chi on guitar, Trevor Dunn on contrabass & Ches on drums even better than the gig two weeks prior. Astounding. incredible. 53-54 minute piece with 15-16 minute piece. as good as Sun of Goldfinger was last night, the 5 piece is on another level. both gigs, the shorter pieces raised the level which is very hard to do. All improvised with no filler both nights.

Last week an incredible 2 set gig Chuck Roth & Sakina Abdou duo trio with Ryan Sawyer on drums Sakina is a great tenor saxophonist. She is visiting from Lille, France Chuck’s guitar playing with the trio as great as always, maybe better:)

Despite being recorded on a little cassette deck, yes it’s “listenable”. Evan is peaking madly here. Great performance.

Yes the stuff with Tony Bevan & John Edwards is great, IMO saw the film a few years back. Loved it.