What live music are you going to see tonight?

[Steve Reynolds]

Ches Smith / Craig Taborn / Mat Maneri @ Firehouse 12 in New Haven.

I LOVE that trio. Wondering if they played free improvisations or some of Ches' wonderful compositions.

[Chuck Nessa]

Tonight, Myra Melford, Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson at Constellation.

[Utevsky]

Last night, at The Royal Room in Seattle, Open Loose (Mark Helias, Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey) played two excellent muscular sets. Opening for them was a hefty new Seattle trio, consisting of Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, Neil Welch on sax and D'Vonne Lewis on drums. An excellent evening all around.

[jeffcrom]

Matthew Shipp solo, at a tiny little club in Tallahassee. It was pretty great. Afterwards I said hello, and we talked admiringly about Allen Lowe.

[Steve Reynolds]

Last night, at The Royal Room in Seattle, Open Loose (Mark Helias, Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey) played two excellent muscular sets. Opening for them was a hefty new Seattle trio, consisting of Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, Neil Welch on sax and D'Vonne Lewis on drums. An excellent evening all around.

Even though I probably see the trio a couple of times a year for the last few, I'm always fired up to see the long standing trio. Telepathic is one of those overused descriptors but it fits this band. April 25th @ Cornelia Street after they return back from their little tour. My guess is Malaby played a bit if soprano along with the tenor. First time any of Helias' compositions for this band called for Tony to play soprano are a few on the new recording. My first impression of the new music via seeing them in December was very positive. Also looking forward to picking up the new CD on Intakt at the upcoming show.

[BillF]

Superb session including fascinating pre-gig talk by The Cookers at The Sage, Gateshead yesterday afternoon.

Great Organissimo presence at this one - David Weiss on stage and Head Man and self in the audience!

[sidewinder]

Superb session including fascinating pre-gig talk by The Cookers at The Sage, Gateshead yesterday afternoon.

Great Organissimo presence at this one - David Weiss on stage and Head Man and self in the audience!

Lucky you guys !

[Head Man]

Yes, it really was a great set....easily the best live jazz I've seen for several years. Everyone played their socks off and the two Billys were a revelation. Where do they get their energy from?

The previous evening I was also at The Sage watching the Joshua Redman Trio. This is the first time I've seen him live and whilst I did enjoy the set I'm afraid watching The Cookers on the following day put his performance in perspective...a bit too low-key for me, I'm afraid.

[tomatamot]

Tonight: The Joshua Redman Trio at The Lantaarn/Venster in Rotterdam.

[Head Man]

Tonight: The Joshua Redman Trio at The Lantaarn/Venster in Rotterdam.

Ah, that's why they were low-key when I saw them on Saturday..... saving all their energy for Rotterdam!

[relyles]

Ches Smith / Craig Taborn / Mat Maneri @ Firehouse 12 in New Haven.

I LOVE that trio. Wondering if they played free improvisations or some of Ches' wonderful compositions.

It was all composed music. I have yet to be completely won over by Smith, but I did enjoy this more than I did These Arches. The compositions for this trio worked better for me. This was my first time hearing Maneri live. He seems to be having equipment difficulties during the second set. He was using a borrowed viola and the clip he uses for the amplification did not fit properly. In any event, he was impressive. Taborn as always was fabulous. Enjoyable night out.

[Steve Reynolds]

Ches Smith / Craig Taborn / Mat Maneri @ Firehouse 12 in New Haven.

I LOVE that trio. Wondering if they played free improvisations or some of Ches' wonderful compositions.

It was all composed music. I have yet to be completely won over by Smith, but I did enjoy this more than I did These Arches. The compositions for this trio worked better for me. This was my first time hearing Maneri live. He seems to be having equipment difficulties during the second set. He was using a borrowed viola and the clip he uses for the amplification did not fit properly. In any event, he was impressive. Taborn as always was fabulous. Enjoyable night out.

This is a much more open and free group than These Arches (I now remembered that you didn't really like that band - which is understandable as they are certainly not for all tastes - It took me about 30 minutes into their first set last year to get past the rigidity of the compositions)

Taborn in this trio is fabulous and I'm very gratified that you were able to see Mat Maneri for the first time. I've been to a couple of sets where he had similar equipment issues with his OWN viola.

When it is hooked up correctly it sure pays off!!!

[Utevsky]

Last night, at The Royal Room in Seattle, Open Loose (Mark Helias, Tony Malaby and Tom Rainey) played two excellent muscular sets. Opening for them was a hefty new Seattle trio, consisting of Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, Neil Welch on sax and D'Vonne Lewis on drums. An excellent evening all around.

Even though I probably see the trio a couple of times a year for the last few, I'm always fired up to see the long standing trio. Telepathic is one of those overused descriptors but it fits this band. April 25th @ Cornelia Street after they return back from their little tour. My guess is Malaby played a bit if soprano along with the tenor. First time any of Helias' compositions for this band called for Tony to play soprano are a few on the new recording. My first impression of the new music via seeing them in December was very positive. Also looking forward to picking up the new CD on Intakt at the upcoming show.

I've seen Malaby before, but not this trio. Your guess is correct. Malaby played tenor and soprano in Seattle.

[Steve Reynolds]

8:00 Otomo Yoshihide/Sachiko M

10:00 above plus special guest

@ The Stone

[relyles]

Tonight:

Rob Mazurek Black Cube SP @ The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds, Northampton, MA

[mr jazz]

Elaine Elias and her band (including husband Marc Johnson) put on an incredible performance last night in DC. While her piano chops are top notch as usual, she played a few songs on an electric piano (sounded like a Fender Rhodes) and really got a lovely retro sound.

[A Lark Ascending]

The Laura Jurd Quartet in Sheffield. Absolutely thrilling concert from a band who look like they could be in my A Level class!

Laura Jurd: trumpet; Elliot Galvin: piano; Conor Chaplin: bass; Corrie Dick: drums

Jurd has been getting a lot of press in the last couple of years as someone to watch. I've been enjoying her records but was not prepared for the real power of her playing live. All the band really impressed, but I was also especially taken by Elliott Galvin who used that red keyboard to alternate between an early 70s Fender Rhodes sound (including lovely distortion) and almost Larry Young-like swirling organ textures.

Most of the first half were instrumental versions of tunes from her latest album which is song based. Part two was newer compositions - spacey and intense by turns. She seems to like fjords!

What is really going to stand her in good stead is her compositional ability. All the pieces were very carefully constructed with themes and sub themes, yet still leaving plenty of room for improvisation.

A player it is going to be delightful to see grow. Look out for her, Brits, in your local jazz emporium.

[BFrank]

Charles Lloyd weekend. Great to see Eric Harland 2 nights in a row, too - he's a monster!

Tonight I saw "Wild Man Dance Suite":

Charles Lloyd tenor saxophone

Gerald Clayton piano

Joe Sanders bass

Eric Harland drums

Sokratis Sinopoulos lyra

Miklos Lukacs cimbalom

Tomorrow night will be his New Quartet:

Charles Lloyd tenor saxophone

Jason Moran piano

Reuben Rogers bass

Eric Harland drums

[Justin V]

On the 18th, I caught Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea in Indiana. I'd never seen Herbie live before, and with their last tour being 37 years ago, I knew that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them together. We had front-row seats with a dead-on view of Herbie, with the piano and a monitor blocking some of our view of Chick.

I could go on at length, but it was easily one of the best concerts I've ever attended. Their complementary styles served them well on two freely improvised duets (one acoustic and one mainly electric), 'Alone Together', a Miles tribute consisting of 'All Blues' and 'Someday My Prince Will Come' (the latter featuring the soaring vocals of Gayle Moran-Corea), 'Cantaloupe Island' and an encore of 'Spain', with an audience sing-along.

The electric duo was unbelievable, with Herbie laying down this spooky, atmospheric and intense background that eventually gave way to this gonzo, alien-sounding riff with percussion from Chick, which Herbie then soloed over on electric keyboard and acoustic piano. It was fun, challenging and inventive, which made it emblematic of the whole show.

After their encore, Herbie and Chick shook hands and thanked much of the first row, and my wife and I shook hands with Herbie. They both seemed genuinely appreciative of the audience throughout the night, which is always good to see. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to witness the warm interplay between two giants in top form; it was a special night. I can only hope that they release an album commemorating and/or documenting the tour, as their last tour produced two albums. I wish that I could have seen them in Chicago and/or Ann Arbor the two previous nights as well, because their free-wheeling collaboration has to make each a concert a unique experience..

Edited May 5, 2015 by Justin V

[Leeway]

Tim Berne's Snakeoil - Bohemian Caverns, Sunday April 26, 2015

Tim Berne, (as), Oscar Noriega (cl, bcl), Matt Mitchell (p), Ches Smith (d, perc, vibes).

First set started with two pieces not on the new CD: "Incidental Contact" and "Stingray Shuffle." Then two from the new CD, "You've Been Watching Me-" "Small World in a Small Town" and "Embraceable Me." "Small World" was absolutely killer and "Embraceable" was pretty close. The new songs struck me as stronger, more expansive, more interesting than the two previous pieces.

Second set contained two more pieces from the new CD: "False Impressions" and "You've Been Watching Me." One other piece was not announced (or I missed it), and the set closed out with "Jesus Christ Minibar," which is either a real composition and title or a sample of Tim's wicked sense of humor.

One thing you are going to get at a Tim Berne concert is hard playing; real bare-knuckle here. Don't know what the CD sounds like as I only picked it up last night and haven't spun it yet. Too bad Ryan Ferreira couldn't make the tour (post-NYC). When I heard the group in NYC with Ferreira it provided a somewhat different, more coloristic sound. Noriega played a lot of bcl last night; maybe the most aggressive bcl player around. Tim's playing was very strong. This group has gotten stronger each year, and there are few who can match it. If you can see them on this tour, I recommend you getting out to the show.

[kh1958]

Three days of the First Weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

On Friday, commencing in the Jazz Tent with a bracing set by Kidd Jordan and the Improvisational Arts Quintet (William Parker on bass, Alvin Fielder on drums, plus two pianists I didn't recognize). Celebrating his 80th birthday.

Next, to the NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) Pavilion for Jason Marsalis Quintet, playing compositions of Ellis Marsalis. Younger players, okay but not too compelling.

Back to the Jazz Tent for flutist Kent Jordan (son of Kidd Jordan). Front line of flute, clarinet and tenor saxophone (the impressive young New Orleans player Calvin Johnson) had an interesting sound--a strong set.

To the Blues Tent for Louisiana singer/guitarist/harmonica player, Kenny Neal. Another excellent set.

Finally to the Jazz Tent for Snarky Puppy. The place was packed; Snarky Puppy has a very young and enthusiastic fan base, it appears. Two songs in, I was still trying to decide whether I liked the band or not when the day's festival was abruptly cancelled due to violent thunderstorms.

Saturday: More bad weather, right as I was arriving. Blinding rain/high winds, the Jazz Tent and Blues Tent are jammed with people.

Eventually, I am able to enter the Blues Tent, in time for Mali's Vieux Farka Toure's set (highly anticipated by me). The son of Ali Farka Toure, the apple did not fall very far from the tree--the set is incredible.

Next, back to the Jazz Tent for Cassandra Wilson, performing material from her new Billie Holiday tribute. Another terrific set (group includes Kevin Breit on guitar, Charlie Burnham on violin, and Lonnie Plaxico on bass).

Finally, closing the day with the Kenny Garrett Quintet. This set far exceeded my expectations, it was very intense.

Now that was three great sets in a row.

Finally, Sunday, starting in the Blues Tent for 74 year old blues player Little Freddie King, who was superb. One description calls him a combination of R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, but his guitar playing is more polished, and his voice (unlike his guitar, rather aged) sounds a bit like a faint echo of Lightnin' Hopkins (his cousin).

A bit later, in the Jazz Tent, the concert is billed as Victor Goines and the Fauberg String Quartet Present Charlie Parker With Strings. The set was actually more varied. There were only four short songs adapted from Bird With Strings--the string quartet was augmented by a fifth string player, an oboist, and harpist on those songs. They were fun to hear live, Goines' alto stuck close to the melody (Charles McPherson would be a much better choice for this project). Various other configurations performed--an Astor Piazzola composition by the string quartet, a couple of jazz quartet pieces (Ellis Marsalis sitting in one one). Best of the set actually were two original compositions for cello and piano (Ellis Marsalis the pianist/composer on one and Michael Palerra the pianist/composer on the other).

Next, Donald Harrison leads NOCCA alumni (including Irwin Mayfield) in a jam session. There's a ringer in the house--they are setting up a Hammond B3--yes, Dr. Lonnie Smith on organ. Turns into a fantastic set, also with Detroit Brooks on guitar.

After that, I reluctantly head to the airport and back to Dallas.

Edited May 3, 2015 by kh1958

[Van Basten II]

Trevor Watts & Veryan Weston ; enjoyable duet unfortunately in front of a "crowd" of about 20 people.

[medjuck]

Just saw Charles Lloyd with Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz (pedal steel and lap guitars), Reuben Rogers (electric bass) and Eric Harland (f on drums). The last 2 are in Lloyd's "new quartet". Though Lloyd was front and center, because of the instrumentation and the song selection it seemed like a Bill Frisell concert with guest star Charles Lloyd. Numbers included Shenandoah, Red River, The Strangest Dream and (I think-- I'm not up on Christian hymns) Abide with Me interspersed with what I presume were some Lloyd originals. The encores were a searing, raucous Masters of War and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. I'd seen each of them twice before at the same small theater but this was the first time I'd seen them together. In fact I think it may be the only time they're playing together. I loved it.

Edited April 29, 2015 by medjuck

[Justin V]

I saw Marilyn Crispell with local drummer Carmen Castaldi on the 24th. I was only familiar with Crispell through duo recordings with Joseph Jarman and Gary Peacock and some live Anthony Braxton recordings. I was very impressed with Crispell, whose playing was by turns abstract, forceful and melodic. Although I could hear her influences, she has a distinctive voice. Castaldi's understated drumming was both supportive and provocatively independent. It was a night of music that was challenging, yet inviting. I have her Trio on Tour (with Reggie Workman and Gerry Heingway) on order.

Edited April 29, 2015 by Justin V

[relyles]

Thursday, April 30, 2015 – 8pm - $12 general public / $7students
JASON KAO HWANG’S BURNING BRIDGE - Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet), Andrew Drury (drums) and Ken Filiano (bass), Joseph Daley (tuba), Sun Li (pipa), Steve Swell (trombone) and Wang Guowei (erhu)
Bezanson Recital Hall - University of Massachusetts - Amherst, MA