Steve Reynolds

Among other shows, Monday night / I was at 7 shows within 11 days, I think Sandy Ewen, Ravi Coltrane, Damon Smith & James Paul Nadien at the Record Shop astounding moreso with Ravi on tenor rather than soprano Sandy Ewen is a genius & my first time seeing Damon Smith live other standout sets during my recent run of gigs (looks like nothing until 2/19) I’m resting up:) Hans Young Binter, Anna Abondolo & Orchid McRae!!! Michael Foster, Joe Moffet & Eli Wallace!!! Larry Ochs, Ken Filiano & Tom Rainey!!! Ochs, Nels Cline & Chad Taylor!!!!! Tony Malaby, Sean Ali & Flin van Hemmen!!! Ingrid Laubrock, Chuck Roth & Cecelia Lopez!!!!!!!! Chuck & Ingrid destroyed reality. Best I’ve heard Cecelia.

Don’t miss among others At Union Pool with Patrick Holmes & Ryan Sawyer devastating awe inspiring Her performance with Nels Cline & Booker Stardum at Solar Myth this past fall was among the best examples of improvised beyond possible stuff I’ve ever experienced. so blessed to have seen her play 4 times last year. If not for a back problem recently I would have been at her final performance which was a solo set at Zurcher Gallery on January 21st.

Omg this is awful i just saw her play a few months ago genius level improvisor very very nice person as well RIP

Richard Manual was a genius level singer until drugs ruined him

Last night at The Stone Che’s Smith, Darius Jones & Craig Taborn 4 improvisations 50 minutes total. Good to great. Grand masters at work. So focused.

Saturday night Tony Malaby, Ben Monder & Tom Rainey first set A second set among the best 45 minutes of music I’ve ever seen Sunday night Hans Young Binter (keys), Ana Abondolo (fretless electric bass) & Orchid McRae (drums etc.) stunning 35 minute piece Michael Foster, Nate Wooley, Brandon Lopez & Ted Byrnes Mercy!!! 30 minutes from grand masters in prime form

It’s great to hear the group now. Love to see them live. Saw them with KV in 2002 at Tonic in NYC. Incredible.

I was 3 feet from Ryan Sawyer last night trio with Sam Newsome & Brandon Lopez incredible improvised set at a tiny bar (Ore Bar) in Brooklyn I’ve been lazy posting but I think I’ve been at 10-12 shows this month so far The scene in NYC/Brooklyn is smoking hot. highlights: Lotte Anker, Brandon Lopez & the *great* Randy Peterson Air Legacy Trio with Marty Ehrlich, Hilliard Green & Pheeroan akLaff Michael Foster with Webb Crawford & Joey Sullivan plus Steve Swell Thurston Moore with John Leidecker, Alex Ward, Zoh Amba & Ryan Sawyer Fred Frith solo Fred Frith, Lotte Anker & I can never remember the other musician’s name

One of the greatest “pure” improvisers there ever was. Saw him at a few amazing shows. With Evan Parker, Mat Maneri & Gerry Hemingway to name 3 great great performances. RIP, sir

Ahmed playing live next Spring @ Roulette in Brooklyn!!!

Last night 2 great short sets: Michael Foster: tenor & soprano saxophones Webb Crawford: banjo Brandon Lopez: bass then: Nate Wooley: trumpets & electronics Chris Corsano: drums Ches Smith: drums & electronics

Last night in Catskill, NY Michael Foster, Webb Crawford & Joey Sullivan great to see our Clifford there:) strong 30 minute piece with the last third with Foster on soprano altering molecules. Webb on her baby Gibson & tenor banjo. Extraordinary improvisor.

2 short intense magisterial sets from the trio. Monder & Malaby are brilliant together. great new small room opened in June. 4 feet from the musicians. Close Up indeed.

Tonight: Tony Malaby, Ben Monder & Tom Rainey 2 sets at Close Up in NYC last Thursday second set was John Blum & Chuck Roth duo 38 minute & 20 minute unrelenting improvisations / Blum almost too much. He’s so great it’s often too much. Chuck Roth from another planet.

Hoping Mat & Lucian get the quartet together again soon with Brandon Lopez & Randy Peterson tonight Tim Berne with Greg Belisle-Chi, Aurora Nealand, John Hebert & Tom Rainey at Lowlands in Brooklyn

Yes I’ve seen him fairly often the last 2 years. Playing as great as ever. As far as “jazz” bassists in NYC, Helias & Hebert are the best. Brandon Lopez is a great “jazz” bassist but besides his playing in Mat Maneri’s quartet, most of what he does is abstract improv. Untouchable in those areas. Genius.

Last night at Solar Myth: Nels Cline, Greg Belisle-Chi, John Hebert & Chad Taylor compositions fine set but nowhere near the night before. Nels & Hebert were the stars. Greg a good foil but he still needs a way to go. Tough spot playing across from Nels Cline. He’s only on the scene less than 5 years so hopefully he will continue to progress with Berne. I’ll see him & Hebert on Tuesday with Berne, Aurora Nealand & Tom Rainey.

Darius is great live. I’ve heard him play stuff I’ve never heard on record. fwiw you dudes are spoiled (but not as much as I am) with Edwards/Sanders & Edwards/Noble I’m upset that Cleaver isn’t in NYC any longer and I don’t get to hear Lopez/Cleaver. Best combo along with Lopez/Peterson. Hoping Mat Maneri puts together a few shows this fall with his great quartet with Lucian Ban. Saw them 5 times last fall. I do hear Ches Smith, Tom Rainey all the time and I never take it for granted and even once in a while, Randy Peterson I saw Ches 4-5 times the last few weeks As far as bassists, some good younger ones finding their way: Henry Fraser, Kyle Motl, John Moran, Ana Abondolo, etc. also Sean Ali is great Brandon Lopez is the best bassist in NYC posted on the live shows thread: Nels Cline with Susan Alcorn & Booker Stardum last night was incredible. Mind blowing. Astounding from a variety of standpoints.

Last night at Solar Myth in Philadelphia Nels Cline on guitar Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar Booker Stardum on drums (first time seeing him) 55 minute improv followed by 8-9 minute encore maybe the best show of the year. Nels amazing but Susan Alcorn destroyed the universe. One of the greatest musicians on the planet.

Spectacular 54 minute set comprised of 6 pieces. all the musicians were great but Mary, Ches & the *great* William Winant destroyed atoms. Not sure I’ve heard Mary Halvorson play with so much fire & force. Power chords, slashing commentary and searing leads. Holy Moly.

I’ll be there. Not to be missed.

John Zorn’s Cobra 40th anniversary show at Roulette in Brooklyn with among others: Ches Smith Brian Marsella Sylvie Courvousier Taylor Levine Mary Halvorson William Winant Simon Hanes Kenny Wolleson Henry Fraser It was incredible Summer of 2023

At Union Pool with Susan Alcorn & Patrick Holmes Astounding Last night was far greater than the set at The Stone 68 minute set. First 23 minute piece ended Can like almost. Ches channeling outer space limits. Second 18 minute piece more typically free jazz. Last 2 pieces were beyond category and Mette reached heights not previously deemed possible. Lordy Lordy

Ryan Sawyer is great. I’ve seen him play often over the years. Last time this past Spring with Nate Wooley’s Columbia Icefield with Ava Mendoza & the *great* Susan Alcorn. Zeena is incredible especially on the electric harp which she will be playing tomorrow night with the abstract yet intense trio. One of the most unique trios I know of. Sawyer is a powerful drummer yet understands space and time. Kevin Reilly wouldn’t release a recording with a basher. It’s something he despises. I’ll ask Kevin tonight if there is any way that trio will get to London in the future.

I saw them the week before last so I kind of know what to expect. Tomorrow night it will be Glass Triangle with Mette, Zeena Parkins & Ryan Sawyer. In Brooklyn. yes it’s a very intense group. Very focused in the free jazz vernacular with a current/modernist vibe. Very technically proficient musicians who can be virtuosic yet they unleash big energy. Often the real technical virtuosos let their expertise rob energy from the music.