Steve Reynolds

I liked Murray back in the day but mostly I agree with Allen. One mode with no grit.

The Tomeka Reid quartet set was stunning. I had the “Mary” seat 7 feet from her without the music stand blocking my view. Not meaning to compare but as great as Mary was (and is), Tomeka’s improvisational and melodic gifts are from another planet. From small form crunchy improv to melodic soloing I’m not sure she can be matched. Stunning performance. Plus I’m usually not easily impressed with current compositions by most / but Tomeka’s newest (premiered last night - and they are recording today in the studio) are even better than the compositions premiered this past spring. Or what’s on the 2 recordings. 3 extended pieces totaling ~53 - 54 minutes or so.

Not really my thing but it wonderful. Started with a stately theme (was a Muhal composition) veered to mostly quiet but often arresting improvisation dialogue and ended with another piece of written music. 55 minutes of continuous music. As always I was very close to the musicians. No amplification used. Very impressed with Hawkins. Great touch with stunning use of dynamics He’s was very friendly and spent much time after speaking with a number of us. His first NYC appearance. will see Tomeka Saturday night with her quartet with Mary, Jason Roebke & Tomas Fujiwara. Missing gabby fluke-mogul who is playing with a trio in Brooklyn. Tough decisions. I’m missing Matana Roberts with Brandon Lopez & Fujiwara tonight as I have a commitment. Glorious time for live music in NYC just in time for my 8/31 retirement:)

Tomeka Reid & Alexander Hawkins at The New School

It was incredible last night. Taylor Levine, Trevor Dunn & Ches Smith were beyond. They would make a great power trio. 55 minutes 5 sections. During the 4th piece it was so intense Zorn encouraged the audience and they got a partial standing ovation while they were playing. I was sitting right next to Zorn two feet away with the band 10 feet away. Some of it was insanely loud in a very great way.

John Zorn’s Cobra with a great crew including Trevor Dunn, Brian Marsella, Ches Smith, Kenny Wolleson, Miles Okazaki, Wendy Eisenberg etc. At Roulette in Brooklyn

New one on 577 records “Fathom” with Thomas, Lash & Noble fantastic like the above / especially the ones on Relative Pitch. The one with Barre Phillips is really really great. have to get the quartet with Prevost. The great drummer is playing as great as ever at over 80.

Big listener to Butcher. Endlessly inventive and focused. Prefer his recordings with drummers.

Zeena Parkins & Brian Chase

RIP, sir Also saw him with ICP 4 times I believe. Great entertainer as well as a idiosyncratic improvisor of the best kind.

Multidimensionally Human Sita Chay: violin Frank London: trumpet Shoko Nagai: piano & accordion Satoshi Takeishi: percussion only familiar with Nagai (who I saw recently with Chris Cochrane’s wild group (she was amazing) & Takeishi At The New School (aka The New Stone)

No solo ever from Jerry but amazing picking fwiw not my favorite song:) of all the country covers, Big River is often the hottest. Second Garcia solo usually blows the roof off Peggy-O might fit as well / the 1977-78 versions are often incredible

The Grateful Dead many covers and portions of their 1970 thru 74 live shows have the vibe throughout parts of the shows. It’s a big part of their thing. look for Big River, Mama Tried, Sing Me Back Home, Me and My Uncle, etc.

No cake, no pie just a bit of Dead this AM and now some Evan Parker chilling out prepping for my imminent retirement!! 10 to 15 live shows a month to be the norm / which I’ve already been doing the last few months to make sure my life is filled with live music!! The improv scene here in NYC/Brooklyn is pure fire post-pandemic!! Great time to be alive!!! To make things right, NP 1/24/70 with Cumberland Blues, Cold Rain & Snow and a great version of the *great* Mason’s Children with Jerome killing it!!!

Of course:)

I don’t listen to very much classic jazz these days but Sonny Clark is my favorite pianist of his sort. Love these recordings and I may buy this. regarding Hoffman the jazz threads are fine. The one Lon started is excellent. There is a great avant-garde thread with decent participation although of course the interest in that sort of music will always be very limited. Some here would enjoy the recommendations and commentary. Also it’s the best place by FAR to discuss the Grateful Dead. The most knowledgeable posters on the subject of my favorite rock band.

Last night of Zoh Amba’s residency tonight with pianist Micah Thomas & drummer Chris Corsano Last night (Friday) was spectacular again / intense free jazz with lots of color & space within.

This was an avant-garde rock set. Spectacular. Zoh played some guitar and sang one song. Ismaily was beyond great as was Steve Gunn seeing Zoh again the next 2 or even 3 nights tonight is Forbes Graham, gabby fluke-mogul & Luke Stewart friday is with Patrick Shiroishi, Wendy Eisenberg & Chris Corsano saturday is with Micah Thomas & Corsano expecting free jazz Friday & Saturday who knows what tonight will bring Last night mind blowing 1 hour piece with some thematic elements. As great as Zoh, Forbes & Luke were, gabby fluke-mogul played as great on violin as I have ever heard. Genius level from many perspectives. looking forward to tonight

This was an avant-garde rock set. Spectacular. Zoh played some guitar and sang one song. Ismaily was beyond great as was Steve Gunn seeing Zoh again the next 2 or even 3 nights tonight is sign Forbes Graham, gabby fluke-mogul & Luke Stewart friday is with Patrick Shiroishi, Wendy Eisenberg & Chris Corsano saturday is with Micah Thomas & Corsano expecting free jazz Friday & Saturday who knows what tonight will bring

Zoh Amba with Shahzad Ismaily, Steve Gunn & Jim White

Plus best vibe I’ve ever experienced in live music the last 9 months especially in these small rooms in Brooklyn. Hanging out between sets with Brandon, Kevin & some of the other musicians is a roar. Brandon is the best. seeing Webb again on Wednesday plus an awesome cellist named T.J. Borden. most importantly the duo of James McKain on tenor saxophone and the miraculous Chuck Roth on guitar. I’ve seen them 2-3 times and her (Chuck) 4-5 times the last few months. Recordings of both of them solo and then duo will happen in the near future. for those wondering the audience is young, alive and open to new vibrant and radical brilliant music.

Last night Kelsey Mines solo double bass Webb Crawford solo guitar both utterly unique and brilliant Michael Foster’s Ghost with Brandon Lopez on double bass & Joey Sullivan on drums Foster on tenor, baritone & soprano saxophone stunning incandescent blazing set. Foster is one of the greatest saxophonists on the scene today.

Jessica Pavone with Peter Evans, Brandon Lopez & Ryan Sawyer @ New School (aka The New Stone)

Maybe I can start driving now🌝