What live music are you going to see tonight?

[BFrank]

Tomorrow night

[Steve Reynolds]

20 hours ago, mjazzg said:

Whoa! Saw them several times way back when. Hope they still cut it

Saw them last fall from far away in the Balcony of the 3,000 seat Kings theatre in Brooklyn. It was good.

Last night on the rail. Spectacular. I was 20 feet from Stephen Malkmus. Back holding up / I’ve had bad back problems since June. Trying to go for the last of the 4 nights tomorrow night. 

Seeing Zoh Amba with Steve Gunn, Shahzad Ismaily & Jim White on Sunday 9/17. Saw the group in July. They were great. Also playing is a duo of Lee Renaldo & Booker Stardum.

Trying to squeeze in Mat Maneri’s Quartet with Lucian Ban, Brandon Lopez & Randy Peterson on Saturday 9/16.

Natural Information Society on 9/20 with guests Darius Jones & Ari Brown. Last saw Ari Brown on January 7, 1999 at The Velvet Lounge / the day Fred Hopkins died.

Oteil & Friends at Capital Theatre on Saturday 9/23

[Steve Reynolds]

Plus Michael Foster with Brandon Lopez & Joey Sullivan on 9/24. This trio is absolute fire!!!

[Steve Reynolds]

Last night 

solo set from Brandon Lopez on double bass / first half of the 40 to 42 minute set sans bow, the second half exclusivity with it. OMG.

trio set with Michael Attias on alto saxophone, Kenneth Jimenez on double bass & Randy Peterson on drums. Drum kit was ride cymbal, splash cymbal, snare, small tom, larger tom & bass drum. He could play the cymbals alone and carry a group. Attias was wonderful, young bassist was in a bad spot following Lopez but he held his own. 40-41 minute improvisation followed by a sublime 12-13 minute coda to the set. 

Randy Peterson remains the most unique and for my $$$, the best jazz drummer on the planet. I’ve been listening to him live and on record now for 25 years and every time I see him I’m stunned. No one plays remotely like him and I just wish more people would take some time to listen to this musical genius of the drum kit.

 

 

 

Get Ready to Receive Yourself

[hopkins]

Billy Childs quartet at the Smoke Jazz Club tonight.

[hopkins]

4 hours ago, hopkins said:

Billy Childs quartet at the Smoke Jazz Club tonight.

I should have listened to it before going because this is not the type of jazz I enjoy. I just don't get it...

Edited September 17, 2023 by hopkins

[mjazzg]

Friday night, Nubya Garcia and the Nu Civilisation Orchestra playing Sauter/Gets 'Focus' and two other pieces.

A late swap of conductor may have explained some of the tentativeness. When it worked well it worked very well, most notably on parts of 'Focus' and a great encore. Good to see Garcia outside her usual band and sound 

[ejp626]

Been dropping in at The Rex again.  I plan on seeing the Eric St. Laurent Quintet (guitar, bass and 3 percussionists!) tonight, though I can only stick for the first set.

This Thurs. Pat LaBarbera is back as part of The Rex's tribute to John Coltrane.  Neil Swainson is supposed to be at the gig as well.

I may stop by on Friday to check out the Andrew Scott Quartet, but not entirely sure yet.  I saw them last week, and they were fine.

[BFrank]

Thursday night: The Baseball Project

ALWAYS entertaining!

[Steve Reynolds]

Last night

Ben Vida with Yarn/Wire

Natural Information Society

both MUCH less impressive than I expected

BV with Yarn/Wire almost all composed with vocals (with some fine harmonies) but 80% of the 50 minute set was singing

NIS is just too static rhythmically (I knew this going in) but I hoped they would generate some real energy live and it never happened. Ari Brown, Jason Stein, Darius Jones & Josh Berman were all great but alas without any peaking by the static boring drummer, nothing truly exciting happened during the over long 85 minute set. Great venue (Pioneer Works) with a great sound system but please play the fucking drum kit!!! Drive the horn players, PLEASE!!!!!

Impressive from some perspective I suppose but something like Tim Berne tonight with Greg Belisle-Chi, Oscar Noriega, Chis Potter, Eivand Opsik & Jeff Davis will be infinitely more invigorating to these ears.
 

[mjazzg]

Not sure that 'driving' is the point of NiS, for the horns or the kit.  I saw them with Evan Parker and it was sublime, hypnotic and deliberately without peaks. It's all about the repitition.

[Steve Reynolds]

1 hour ago, mjazzg said:

Not sure that 'driving' is the point of NiS, for the horns or the kit.  I saw them with Evan Parker and it was sublime, hypnotic and deliberately without peaks. It's all about the repitition.

Of course I understand that but I was never once hypnotized. Some dynamics would only add to that effect. But as I am wont to say to my friends, “they never made a statue for a critic!“

Two friends of mine are going to see them tonight in Philadelphia. I’m very curious to hear their reaction. 

Edited September 21, 2023 by Steve Reynolds

[jlhoots]

Lila Downs tomorrow.

[Steve Reynolds]

On 9/21/2023 at 9:16 AM, Steve Reynolds said:

Last night

Ben Vida with Yarn/Wire

Natural Information Society

both MUCH less impressive than I expected

BV with Yarn/Wire almost all composed with vocals (with some fine harmonies) but 80% of the 50 minute set was singing

NIS is just too static rhythmically (I knew this going in) but I hoped they would generate some real energy live and it never happened. Ari Brown, Jason Stein, Darius Jones & Josh Berman were all great but alas without any peaking by the static boring drummer, nothing truly exciting happened during the over long 85 minute set. Great venue (Pioneer Works) with a great sound system but please play the fucking drum kit!!! Drive the horn players, PLEASE!!!!!

Impressive from some perspective I suppose but something like Tim Berne tonight with Greg Belisle-Chi, Oscar Noriega, Chis Potter, Eivand Opsik & Jeff Davis will be infinitely more invigorating to these ears.
 

Tim’s band last night played a stunning 90 minute set. Potter on bass clarinet & Noriega on b-flat clarinet were both great. Berne has never played better than when I’ve seen him previously than he did last night. For years I didn’t see him often as his music has often frustrated me. I’ve seen him probably 8 to 10 times this year on his regular Thursday night gig. I’ve turned the corner. 

A number of brand new compositions mixed in with tunes he’s been playing this whole year. Segues, collective improv and burning hot solos from the horns & Belisle-Chi on guitar. Last night’s set would have made a great old school double LP live album. 

Edited September 22, 2023 by Steve Reynolds

[jlhoots]

Lakecia Benjamin Quartet - tomorrow.

[BFrank]

SFJAZZ

[Kevin Bresnahan]

At the last minute, I got asked to go see Stanley Jordan perform solo at Jimmy's in Portsmouth, NH last night. I hadn't seen him play in decades so I thought, "Why not"? It was an enjoyable evening but not one I need to repeat too often. I probably haven't seen him play in 25 years but after all that time, his playing still had this sameness to it. I had a great time with my friend Bob which made it a worthwhile night, but it was pretty expensive. $87 for the ticket & another $60 for a couple of drinks and an appetizer.

I admire Jordan's guitar playing... even marvel at what he can do with that one guitar. At times it sounds like 3 guitars up on the stage. But for song after song after song - it was just not different enough. He played the piano and guitar simultaneously for two songs, which was different, but he also sang along and his singing voice was not for me. On top of that, his vocals were so buried in the mix, that I could hardly understand much of what he sang.

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, bresna said:

At the last minute, I got asked to go see Stanley Jordan perform solo at Jimmy's in Portsmouth, NH last night. I hadn't seen him play in decades so I thought, "Why not"? It was an enjoyable evening but not one I need to repeat too often. I probably haven't seen him play in 25 years but after all that time, his playing still had this sameness to it. I had a great time with my friend Bob which made it a worthwhile night, but it was pretty expensive. $87 for the ticket & another $60 for a couple of drinks and an appetizer.

I admire Jordan's guitar playing... even marvel at what he can do with that one guitar. At times it sounds like 3 guitars up on the stage. But for song after song after song - it was just not different enough. He played the piano and guitar simultaneously for two songs, which was different, but he also sang along and his singing voice was not for me. On top of that, his vocals were so buried in the mix, that I could hardly understand much of what he sang.

Hearing his breakthrough BN release 30 years (or whatever) ago was enough to tell me I didn't need to see him live.

[Steve Reynolds]

Nate Wooley Mutual Aid Music

with Matt Moran, gabby fluke-mogul and more

at Roulette in Brooklyn 

[jlhoots]

Sullivan Fortner Trio tomorrow.

[Steve Reynolds]

Tim Berne with Gregg Belisle-Chi, Michael Formanek & Jeff Davis 

Belisle-Chi is turning into a huge favorite. His growth this year playing most Thursdays with Tim has been great to experience as I’ve probably seen him on 8 or 9 of the gigs this year. Michael Formanek should be perfect for this music.

Edited September 28, 2023 by Steve Reynolds

[jlhoots]

Aaron Goldberg Trio tomorrow.

[jlhoots]

Emmet Cohen Trio with Tootie Heath tomorrow.

[Rabshakeh]

1 hour ago, jlhoots said:

Emmet Cohen Trio with Tootie Heath tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy it. He's one of those names that seem to tower over contemporary jazz in some parts of the jazz listening world, but which you never hear mentioned here, or in most of the places that I visit online.

On 9/28/2023 at 2:50 PM, Steve Reynolds said:

Tim Berne with Gregg Belisle-Chi, Michael Formanek & Jeff Davis 

Belisle-Chi is turning into a huge favorite. His growth this year playing most Thursdays with Tim has been great to experience as I’ve probably seen him on 8 or 9 of the gigs this year. Michael Formanek should be perfect for this music.

Has Berne got a weekly gig at the moment? Where is that? 

I'll keep an eye out for Belisle-Chi. Any recommendations would be interesting.

Not that I am likely to be seeing much in the near future, given an imminent new arrival in the family, but good to know for when I emerge.

On 9/27/2023 at 12:17 AM, Steve Reynolds said:

Nate Wooley Mutual Aid Music

with Matt Moran, gabby fluke-mogul and more

at Roulette in Brooklyn 

I feel like we are all hearing a lot less about Nate Wooley these days compared to 2-4 years ago. It's a shame, as I'm a fan. 

[Steve Reynolds]

17 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

Hope you enjoy it. He's one of those names that seem to tower over contemporary jazz in some parts of the jazz listening world, but which you never hear mentioned here, or in most of the places that I visit online.

Has Berne got a weekly gig at the moment? Where is that? 

I'll keep an eye out for Belisle-Chi. Any recommendations would be interesting.

Not that I am likely to be seeing much in the near future, given an imminent new arrival in the family, but good to know for when I emerge.

I feel like we are all hearing a lot less about Nate Wooley these days compared to 2-4 years ago. It's a shame, as I'm a fan. 

Berne plays at Lowlands in Brooklyn most Thursdays. This week with Matt Mitchell, Brandon Seabrook & Tim Angelo. I plan on being there. 3-4 feet away. I’ve seen Tim about 10 times this year at this tiny bar. He walks there from his home. He often brings high profile players like Michael Formanek (last week) and Chris Potter (the week before). Great to hear Potter solely on bass clarinet tearing it up. Oscar Noriega is often with him as well. Amazing clarinet player. I’ve seen David Torn there twice with him as well. Plus Ches Smith who is as incredible as Rainey is in a far different way. 
 

No CD’s yet with Belisle-Chi but there is download with Tim, Gregg & Rainey on Bandcamp with many of the songs they play live. I have not listened. 
 

Wooley’s Columbia Icefield has 2 releases. With Mary Halvorson, Susan Alcorn & Ryan Sawyer. They are both great. Mutual Aid Music 2 releases / single CD and 3 CD box. Very demanding music. 
 

tonight Mat Maneri’s Quartet with Lucian Ban, Brandon Lopez and the *great* Randy Peterson for 2 sets at Jazz Gallery in Manhattan. Saturday night Fred Frith with Zeena Parkins. Next Wednesday Fred with Nava Dunkelman and 2 other woman string players I’m unfamiliar with. Golden time for live music in New York. I’ve been going to 10-12 shows a month this past year. Glorious.