Steve Reynolds Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 (edited) 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. Edited January 25 by Steve Reynolds Quote
ejp626 Posted February 3 Report Posted February 3 In a couple of weeks, Mark Eisenman, Mike Murley, Neil Swainson and Terry Clarke take over the Rex for 4 days (Feb 12-15). I hope to make it twice. Then in early March there is the Women in Space festival in Toronto: https://www.womenfromspace.com/index.html#section-one . Lots of interesting stuff but the most interesting by far (to me) is Myra Melford's Fire and Water Trio with Ingrid Laubrock and Lesley Mok. Working out the details, but it looks like this will be 9:30 or 10 pm on March 9. I should be able to make it. Quote
Gheorghe Posted February 6 Report Posted February 6 last night: Wayne Brasel group feat. Jeff Bourdeaux on drums, Uli Langthaler on bass and Thomas Pustelnik on tenor. This trio unit (Wayne, Jeff, Uli) had a steady gig at the defunct "Jazz Spelunke" in Viena some decades ago. Great Reunion: The sounded just great. And for me most of all because it is not just a guitar trio, having such a great tenor player on stage. I enjoyed the music very much. Maybe Jeff, as great as he is as a drummer should have done less "hosting". There were too long speeches to the audience between tunes, I mean anecdotes and all. That may be nice if you read it, but on stage I would have preferred only music music music and maybe a short announcement of the band at the beginning and a "thank you" at the end.... Quote
kh1958 Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 Last night, Tray Wellington Band at Sundown at Granada. Quote
Aggie87 Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 Caught RIckie Lee Jones on Friday night, followed by Kat Edmonson on Saturday. Rickie did well, but you can tell age has slowed her a bit. Kat's sort of a jazz/pop singer, originally from Texas but now based in New York. Her last album had guest appearances by Bill Frisell, Jaleel Shaw, and Avi Bortnick. Got to chat with her after the show for a bit, talking about our shared background in Austin. Quote
sidewinder Posted February 10 Report Posted February 10 Yesterday - Mike Westbrook's 'Band of Bands' at Lyme Regis, Dorset. Quote
mjazzg Posted February 11 Report Posted February 11 (edited) Last night, Tyshawn Sorey trio at Café Oto, Sorey with Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavan One of the great Oto nights, a performance for the ages. Over two hours, uninterrupted improvisation from a trio of truly superb musicians. Better words than mine describe it here https://thebluemoment.com/2025/02/11/tour-de-force/ Edited February 11 by mjazzg Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 (edited) 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. Edited February 12 by Steve Reynolds Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 On 2/11/2025 at 6:49 AM, mjazzg said: Last night, Tyshawn Sorey trio at Café Oto, Sorey with Aaron Diehl and Harish Raghavan One of the great Oto nights, a performance for the ages. Over two hours, uninterrupted improvisation from a trio of truly superb musicians. Better words than mine describe it here https://thebluemoment.com/2025/02/11/tour-de-force/ Seeing Tyshawn twice in June at Jazz Gallery (6/11 & 6/14). Band not listed yet. I’d love to see this trio. Two sets each night so no continuous set. I saw his quintet on 3/2/2020 right before the lockdown do a 2 hour plus continuous set. Quote
adh1907 Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 On 2/10/2025 at 9:49 AM, sidewinder said: Yesterday - Mike Westbrook's 'Band of Bands' at Lyme Regis, Dorset. Hi Bob, how was the concert and how was Mike? I don’t think he’s been too active recently. Anthony Quote
sidewinder Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 (edited) 29 minutes ago, adh1907 said: Hi Bob, how was the concert and how was Mike? I don’t think he’s been too active recently. Anthony Hi Anthony - It was a cracking concert, in a lovely theatre location right next to the sea wall at Lyme Regis. I'm a big fan of the 'Band of Bands' CD and the performance was at least as good as on the CD, it really is a good show and the players fit superbly with Mike's objectives for this group, sounding bigger than a 7-piece with the dual sax (Chris Biscoe, Pete Whyman) and accordian (Karen Steet) front line. They also cover a lot of stylistic ground - Ellington, Hollander, various Westbrook projects across the decades. It is great that Mike W. is back in live performance. This was the first performance back after long illness in 2024. He's wheelchair-bound at the moment but playing and directing the band with his usual enthusiasm, with Matthew Bourne providing some additional keyboard support. Worked very well. Hopefully there will be more such gigs during 2025. As an added bonus the sun was also out on the seafront at Lyme, a rare chance for February tan ! Edited February 13 by sidewinder Quote
Kevin Bresnahan Posted February 13 Report Posted February 13 Westbrook is 88, so it's understandable if he's slowing down a bit. Quote
kh1958 Posted February 16 Report Posted February 16 Last night, Derek Gripper at Unity of Dallas on Forest Lane. Simply magnificent. Quote
adh1907 Posted February 17 Report Posted February 17 (edited) On 2/13/2025 at 2:58 PM, sidewinder said: Hi Anthony - It was a cracking concert, in a lovely theatre location right next to the sea wall at Lyme Regis. I'm a big fan of the 'Band of Bands' CD and the performance was at least as good as on the CD, it really is a good show and the players fit superbly with Mike's objectives for this group, sounding bigger than a 7-piece with the dual sax (Chris Biscoe, Pete Whyman) and accordian (Karen Steet) front line. They also cover a lot of stylistic ground - Ellington, Hollander, various Westbrook projects across the decades. It is great that Mike W. is back in live performance. This was the first performance back after long illness in 2024. He's wheelchair-bound at the moment but playing and directing the band with his usual enthusiasm, with Matthew Bourne providing some additional keyboard support. Worked very well. Hopefully there will be more such gigs during 2025. As an added bonus the sun was also out on the seafront at Lyme, a rare chance for February tan ! Sounds a great gig, thanks the write up Bob. Hope Mike feels up to gigs outside of the SW soon. Edited February 17 by adh1907 Quote
sidewinder Posted February 19 Report Posted February 19 On 2/17/2025 at 8:02 PM, adh1907 said: Sounds a great gig, thanks the write up Bob. Hope Mike feels up to gigs outside of the SW soon. Yes, I was unable to see the Ashburton gig at which 'Band of Bands' was recorded but this made up for it. Not sure what the plans are for future gigs but will be keeping an eye on Mike's 'Diary' page on the website. Maybe also Kate will be doing further gigs with the 'Granite' Band (who I have also yet to see). Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted February 21 Report Posted February 21 (edited) Tim Berne, Elias Stemesedar, Nels Cline & Tom Rainey at Lowlands last night 3 improvisations lasting an hour. 18 minute encore. simply one of the greatest sets of music I’ve ever witnessed. 3 feet from Nels. Berne introduces Tom Rainey as the greatest drummer in the world and he’s not wrong. previous night among other sets, Jessica Pavone, Chris Cochrane & Brian Chase Incredible 30 minute improvisation. Pavone is a genius level player. golden age of this music continues maybe something tonight Saturday night: Malaby, Ehrlich, Hebert & Rainey / grand masters at play Edited February 21 by Steve Reynolds Quote
BFrank Posted February 22 Report Posted February 22 15 hours ago, Steve Reynolds said: Tim Berne, Elias Stemesedar, Nels Cline & Tom Rainey at Lowlands last night 3 improvisations lasting an hour. 18 minute encore. simply one of the greatest sets of music I’ve ever witnessed. 3 feet from Nels. Berne introduces Tom Rainey as the greatest drummer in the world and he’s not wrong. previous night among other sets, Jessica Pavone, Chris Cochrane & Brian Chase Incredible 30 minute improvisation. Pavone is a genius level player. golden age of this music continues maybe something tonight Saturday night: Malaby, Ehrlich, Hebert & Rainey / grand masters at play I always enjoy seeing Berne. He doesn't get to the West Coast often, but I try to see him whenever he's here. This photo from when he played in SF about a year ago with Belisle-Chi and Rainey. Quote
kh1958 Posted February 23 Report Posted February 23 Last night, Emmet Cohen Trio with Joe Farnsworth on drums at the University of Texas at Dallas. A very excellent concert. Quote
Pim Posted February 28 Report Posted February 28 Uri Caine with Mark Helias and Joey Baron. All three in excellent shape. Great to see how much fun they have playing together. Great gig! Quote
optatio Posted March 2 Report Posted March 2 Tonight I will drive to Kassel - 50 kilometers from here - and listen to Ralph Moore (ts), David Kikoski (p), Essiet Essiet (b) and Joris Dudli (dr) in the TIF - Theater im Fridericianum. Quote
Steve Reynolds Posted March 2 Report Posted March 2 Last night at The Stone Wendy Eisenberg, Trevor Dunn (on electric bass) & Ches Smith 40 minute improv followed by a 10 minute coda Wendy about 20% too loud but a great performance by the band. Her tone is not my favorite but Trevor & Ches are genius level musicians and the power & occasional grace and mystery of the excursions was palpable. Plus as always sitting first row leaning in is an awe inspiring experience with that drum/bass combination. Quote
Kevin Bresnahan Posted March 2 Report Posted March 2 8 minutes ago, Steve Reynolds said: Last night at The Stone Wendy Eisenberg, Trevor Dunn (on electric bass) & Ches Smith 40 minute improv followed by a 10 minute coda Wendy about 20% too loud but a great performance by the band. Her tone is not my favorite but Trevor & Ches are genius level musicians and the power & occasional grace and mystery of the excursions was palpable. Plus as always sitting first row leaning in is an awe inspiring experience with that drum/bass combination. Steve - I know you're into this, but... nope. This is not something that I would ever want to see/hear live. Quote
JSngry Posted March 2 Report Posted March 2 A bit loud maybe, but otherwise right between the lines! Quote
cliffpeterson Posted March 2 Report Posted March 2 February 27-March 1. Three nights of solo piano and the Northampton (MA) Center for the Arts. Matt Shipp, Greg Burk and Sylvie Courvoisier (Ned Rothenberg joined her for one tune on clarinet). Great stuff. Quote
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