Steve Reynolds

I've yet to hear Blaser and will spring for a disc with Hemingway. Yes, there are not that many newer trombonists in these areas of music, but the two I really like are Josh Abrams and Ben Gerstein. Gerstein is an aggressive exciting player live and I'm looking for a good recording that features him. I'll see him live in April with Malaby.

Both of the above should be great

The only problem with The Stone is the heat in the summer. Great place to hear world class improvisors up close and real personal. Just last year i saw Evan Parker for two great nights, William Parker's quartet with Drake, Michael Moore's American Avalable Jelly and more for shows that ranked up there with anything I've ever experienced. Look at the March calendar now for shows/musicians that are not booked in supposed better venues Next Saturday I should be there for Endangerd Blood which is Chris Speed, Oscar Noriega, Michael Formanek and Jim Black The band grooves, rocks out, swings and two reed players are wonderful masterful improvisors. And if you've not seen Jim Black in this sort of swinginish context, you might want to take a listen

Bad news is that Randy Peterson hurt his wrist and could not play. Good news is Mat and Herb Robertson were spectacular with Mat's improvisation during the second piece as dynamic and skronky as all get out. Pure genius. Bad news is that the first set/band played only 40 or maybe 45 minutes Good news is that Charles Burnham is amazing playing a whole different sort of fiddle that Maneri and also sang a stunning Little Red Rooster Best news is I saw the GREAT Alex Blake for the first time in about 15 years and I forgot what a unique energetic force he is. Pure Sui Generis and the small crowd loved him as did I Kresten Osgood is a wonderful drummer and a howl and a spirit I'll never forget!

Show of the year for me as far as my expectations! See 3/6/14 @ Cornelia Street Cafe

As we know it is a different age as 35 today is young compared to the days when the whole bandstand was all often under 30 or 25. I certainly think of anyone under my own age of the newer generation. Plus there is a long tradition within the outtish portions of this music and if one has been on the "scene" for under 10 years, that is a relatively short time. I certainly think Wooley, Halvorsen, Sorey, Jones, Smith, Ban, Sacks, Evans, Davis, Gerstein, et al are of the newer generation. They are all in one way or another highly connected to that previous group that includes musicians like Malaby, Berne, Cleaver, Rainey, Waits, Maneri, Noriega and all the rest

I really like that What We Live recording. Expansive, relaxed and a great sounding recording to boot.

I would say that I often agree with you, but seeing her the other day in that duo, that she was playing like she was running scared (in a good way). Super intense and ferocious, also clearly being challenged by Tom, who gets more monstrous every time I see him. I was thinking of going next weekend for the "standards" band with Laubrock, Alessi, Davis and Gress - but alas I doubt I get the "Monstrous" Rainey in that context.

"Before the Sermon" The opening track from "Going to Church"

The challenge I have with Rainey is that WHEN he plays to his strength (which is his off kilter grooves or even anti-grooves), that there is no other drummer I know of who displays that sort of power and intensity. Yes, his brushwork and hand drumming and his use of wine glasses and scraped cymbals is all very accomplished and creative - BUT - when one is that great at playing with extreme fire, I wish for more of that than he is willing to give on a regular basis. And I've seen the guy probably 10+ times over the past 18 months in a variety of contexts and he remains one of the best drummers playing today - so this is not what some might think.

I am also not a fan of the cooler than thou approach in the freeish outtish areas. As much as I like Rainey, Laubrock, Davis and many of the other downtowners, I get irritated when they don't maximize the intensity more often. Sometimes it can be quiet or detailed intensity but often that sinks into drab monochromatic pseudo avant balladeering. I got me a large antidote to that this Friday night with Nasheet's great quartet with Darius Jones, David Virelles and Mark Helias. I will get more this Thursday as any band with Mat Maneri and Randy Peterson is never too cool to rip it up - loud or soft

Up for those in the NYC area who might be interested in what looks like a very interesting and intense two sets this Thurday night. Will be my first time seeing two drummers in the great little room. I do wonder how they gonna fit the two kits. Say hi - I will be first in line......

A couple of friends of mine are going. I would go if I wasn't busy that night plus I am going to my "Show of the Year" the night before @ Cornelia Street

Just viewed the first clip - too bad they NEVER played anything approaching THAT when I saw them live!! That is the Tom Rainey and Ingrid Laubrock that are worth seeing at almost any cost. I guess I need to give the band another listen.....live and maybe I pick up the latest CD

When I went through a couple of horror show years back in the early 2000's I received many a parcel of CDs from the old crew from Jazz Corner as they knew I wasn't affording any CDs any time soon and I had through desperation sold over 500 CDs for one more

I've seen Ingrid when she is more subdued but I've also seen her a couple of times when she really had it going on - specifically with the Rainey trio with Mary Halvorsen. I tend to lose interest when the overly compositional nature of the larger ensembles suck the improvisational freedom out of the music. That was my experience with Anti-House live. I could have fallen asleep.

Rainey on a good night when he gets aggressive and interested in a few deep grooves is as exciting a drummer as can be heard live

Second set even better. First tune an Andrew Hill composition as was the first tune in the first set. Second piece a 30 plus minute piece of something I never heard before that I want to try to write about later. They ended with Sam Rivers' Unity without any solos and it was as hot and tight as jazz can be. White fucking hot. Nasheet is a master of dynamics and the multi or poly groove. Indebted to Elvin but of the next generation. Brilliant, nuanced and power to spare. And the spirit exuded by the band was apparent. And Mark Helias is simply a virtuoso with the bow and merely munificent without it. And the pianist (with his boss Henry Threadgill in the house) meshed beautifully with the band, quite emphatically by the second set. And as I mentioned earlier, Darius Jones is a force of nature. Among aspects of his playing, his tone is as deep and from the soul as any alto saxophonist I've ever seen live. Standing on a Whale Fishing for Minnows

First set well worth the drive Darius Jones rules the world. Dude plays the alto saxophone like no one else

First in line!! 15 degrees!! Hope the 2 hour trek was worth it!!!

Seriously for those non NYC area people who don't get a chance to see these two live very often, enjoy the opportunity. Rainey on a good night will bend your brain

Decision made!! Tomorrow night I be going to see the Nasheet Waits band @ Cornelia Street Cafe. Deciding factor is it's been too long since I've seen Darius Jones live and he is capable of amazing me. And Mark Helias is one of the best and most versatile bassists. Looking forward to surviving the crazy last day of the month at the job and then the insane ride to NYC for the two sets

Waits is at Cornelia Street Cafe

Do I go see Nasheet Waits with Darius Jones, David Virelles and Mark Helias this Friday? Or Ben Goldberg with Craig Taborn and Ches Smith for the first set on Saturday night with the second set adding Ellery Eskelin and another tenor man? Plus Taborn is playing Wurlitzer for the second set. I'm torn

Three MUST gets