What live music are you going to see tonight?

[Leeway]

Mary Halvorson - Georgetown University, Friday the 13th, February 2015

Just got back from a Mary Halvorson solo performance at Georgetown University, part of their Afternoon Music series. Mary also conducted a Master Class for GU music students. The concert was presented free (thank you GU) as part of Mary's visit. I've seen Mary in every possible configuration, from nonet to duo, but her solo appearances have been scarce, so this was an especially welcome performance. Do I need to say that the performance was superb? It was.

The interesting aspect of this performance was Mary performed "covers" of a variety of compositions. I took note of the set list (I might have missed one); a fascinating set of compositions:

Ornette Coleman - "Sadness"

Carla Bley - "Ida Lupino"

Annette Peacock - "Blood"

Oliver Nelson - "The Cat"

Duke Ellington - "Solitude"

Chris Lightcap - "Platform"

Tomas Fujiwara - "When"

Although the concert was recorded by GU, it is not planned to be released; however, Mary has recorded these and other pieces for a solo album, which will be released on Firehouse 12 in the Fall. That will be one to get. Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day after all.

[BillF]

Mike Hall and the Gerry Tomlinson Trio at Whitefield this afternoon.

[mjazzg]

Mary Halvorson - Georgetown University, Friday the 13th, February 2015

Just got back from a Mary Halvorson solo performance at Georgetown University, part of their Afternoon Music series. Mary also conducted a Master Class for GU music students. The concert was presented free (thank you GU) as part of Mary's visit. I've seen Mary in every possible configuration, from nonet to duo, but her solo appearances have been scarce, so this was an especially welcome performance. Do I need to say that the performance was superb? It was.

The interesting aspect of this performance was Mary performed "covers" of a variety of compositions. I took note of the set list (I might have missed one); a fascinating set of compositions:

Ornette Coleman - "Sadness"

Carla Bley - "Ida Lupino"

Annette Peacock - "Blood"

Oliver Nelson - "The Cat"

Duke Ellington - "Solitude"

Chris Lightcap - "Platform"

Tomas Fujiwara - "When"

Although the concert was recorded by GU, it is not planned to be released; however, Mary has recorded these and other pieces for a solo album, which will be released on Firehouse 12 in the Fall. That will be one to get. Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day after all.

MH playing "Ida Lupino". I need to hear that. Autumn's a long way off

[xybert]

Mary Halvorson - Georgetown University, Friday the 13th, February 2015

Just got back from a Mary Halvorson solo performance at Georgetown University, part of their Afternoon Music series. Mary also conducted a Master Class for GU music students. The concert was presented free (thank you GU) as part of Mary's visit. I've seen Mary in every possible configuration, from nonet to duo, but her solo appearances have been scarce, so this was an especially welcome performance. Do I need to say that the performance was superb? It was.

The interesting aspect of this performance was Mary performed "covers" of a variety of compositions. I took note of the set list (I might have missed one); a fascinating set of compositions:

Ornette Coleman - "Sadness"

Carla Bley - "Ida Lupino"

Annette Peacock - "Blood"

Oliver Nelson - "The Cat"

Duke Ellington - "Solitude"

Chris Lightcap - "Platform"

Tomas Fujiwara - "When"

Although the concert was recorded by GU, it is not planned to be released; however, Mary has recorded these and other pieces for a solo album, which will be released on Firehouse 12 in the Fall. That will be one to get. Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day after all.

MH playing "Ida Lupino". I need to hear that. Autumn's a long way off

Indeed, this write up has got me even more excited for the solo disc.

Just found out that Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock are playing duets in NZ in May! To be honest i'm not a huge fan of what i've heard of their duets on disc but it's Corea! And Hancock! I'm sure it'll be a great show live.

[BillF]

Veteran British bassist Len Skeat at Wilmslow this evening.

[jlhoots]

Lucinda Williams

[BFrank]

Lucinda Williams

Picked up a last-minute ticket for Kurt Elling at SFJAZZ on Sunday. I liked his first few albums, but got tired of him and really haven't paid much attention since. It's billed as "The Music of Frank Sinatra" and I've never seen him live, so I figured it should be entertaining at the very least.

[medjuck]

I'm going to see a singer named Cecile MclOren Salvant tonight. I know nothing about her.

Not my cup of tea.

[jeffcrom]

Anthony Braxton's solo concert at the Bama Theater in Tuscaloosa tonight was magnificent. He (probably wisely) started with a lyrical piece and a conventionally virtuosic piece before moving on to more challenging material - multiphonics, overtone manipulation, circular breathing, extreme register changes, etc. During the opening piece he briefly quoted "Four," which he played in full later in the set. My favorite piece was one from one of his early series of compositions (Cobalt, maybe?). There was a clear additive/subtractive structural process going on - I was fascinated.

I hadn't heard Braxton in person for 20 years before tonight, and I was struck with how beautiful his sound was - rich and full, even with the touch of air that has always been part of his tone.

Tomorrow night - orchestra music with the University of Alabama big band, then home. I wish I could stay until Saturday to hear him with Alvin Fielder, but I have to get back to Atlanta to play myself.

[colinmce]

Enjoy!

[BFrank]

I'm going to see a singer named Cecile MclOren Salvant tonight. I know nothing about her.

Not my cup of tea.

Haven't heard her enough to make an honest appraisal, but she seems like a "flavor of the month" jazz singer...........but I could be wrong.

[Leeway]

Anthony Braxton's solo concert at the Bama Theater in Tuscaloosa tonight was magnificent. He (probably wisely) started with a lyrical piece and a conventionally virtuosic piece before moving on to more challenging material - multiphonics, overtone manipulation, circular breathing, extreme register changes, etc. During the opening piece he briefly quoted "Four," which he played in full later in the set. My favorite piece was one from one of his early series of compositions (Cobalt, maybe?). There was a clear additive/subtractive structural process going on - I was fascinated.

I hadn't heard Braxton in person for 20 years before tonight, and I was struck with how beautiful his sound was - rich and full, even with the touch of air that has always been part of his tone.

Tomorrow night - orchestra music with the University of Alabama big band, then home. I wish I could stay until Saturday to hear him with Alvin Fielder, but I have to get back to Atlanta to play myself.

Would love to have been there. What instruments did he play?

[jeffcrom]

Would love to have been there. What instruments did he play?

Alto saxophone only for the solo concert.

I'm high as a kite after tonight's concert. I could let myself be slightly disappointed that Braxton himself did not take a more active role, either as conductor or instrumentalist, but I'm not disappointed at all, because the music was of very high quality. Taylor Ho Bynum conducted all three pieces, alone or assisted by one or two other conductors, depending on the piece. First up was Composition 174, for percussion ensemble and recorded voices. It was 35 minutes long, and magical. The recorded "actors" (members of the percussion ensemble, maybe?) recited dialogue that could be interpreted as a science fiction story about a visit to another planet, or a commentary on the music, or both. It's the kind of thing I hate, except that I loved it. Like I said, this was a magical experience.

Then the University of Alabama jazz ensemble played a long collage piece that started as Composition 134 (which I recognized from the Eugene (1989) album) and which contained large chunks of Composition 100 and bits of other pieces. (I only know that because I talked to one of the saxophone players afterwards.) There were some tentative moments - these were student musicians, after all - but it was excellent, overall.

The finale was a glorious version of Composition 58, the twisted march from Creative Orchestra Music, played by the big band, the percussion ensemble (with several vintage field drums), and three saxophone soloists - Braxton on sopranino, Andrew Raffo Dewar on soprano, and the U of A saxophone professor (whose name I don't know) on alto.

This is likely to be the only chance I have to hear some of the large ensemble music of Braxton, who has been a hero of mine since I was 18. As I said elsewhere on the web, I'm kind of glad I have to go home in the morning, because I don't know how much more excitement I can take.

Edited February 20, 2015 by jeffcrom

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

k u guys gotta hear abt this, i saw "network trio" feat. Pharaoh Sanders. stanley jordan (piano, gtr) / Charnett Moffett (bs) / Tain Watts (ds).

i really did not have a good experience. Pharaoh sounded amazing but the SET WAS ALL FUNK, and towards the end they did a piece which completely lost all continuity, i mean i was lost. SJ played mostly piano / gtr AT THE SAME TIME.....is he tapping, is that what his thing is? well he was tappin w/ the left hand and chords on the piano w/ the rt. so he sat at the piano the whole show like that.

the closest thing i can compare this concert to, i guess, is that Pharaoh Sanders meets the latin jazz qt lp on "trip"......totally random.

i would go so far, forgive me i know theyre good dudes, in that band, but it was almost to me disrespectful, that they wouldnt have done at least one of Pharaoh's many special songs, when they have this great amazing musician in the band.

even though i wasnt diggin any of the beats, when pharaoh soloed, it was magic, + i was thinkin abt goin back later tonite just for that.

but i mean he was just a sideman more or less in this ensemble, it was so strange.

------------------------

heres the best part:

the best part was when i got to hear and then see a little of pharoah practicing after the show in the hallway by the bathrooms, until some dumb girl came up and was all: 'oooo thats the best intro to the bathroom ive ever had tee hee', and interrupted him and i was all: !!!!

but thats the ultimate sign of greatness, practicing after the concert. a sign of true genius

[kh1958]

Zac Harmon at Babb Bros. Pretty good but too loud.

Edited February 22, 2015 by kh1958

[sidewinder]

the best part was when i got to hear and then see a little of pharoah practicing after the show in the hallway by the bathrooms, until some dumb girl came up and was all: 'oooo thats the best intro to the bathroom ive ever had tee hee', and interrupted him and i was all: !!!!

Classic !!

[BillF]

The Swingshift Big Band featuring Pete Cater on drums at Wigan Jazz Club this afternoon.

[BillF]

Don Weller at Wilmslow this evening.

[jlhoots]

Lyle Lovett & The Acoustic Group - tomorrow

[A Lark Ascending]

Trish Clowes Quintet in Sheffield

Trish Clowes (tenor, soprano), Gwilym Simcock (piano), Alex Munk (guitar), Calum Gourlay (bass), James Maddren (drums).

Been following this young saxophonist for a few years on record and saw her in Brecon Cathedral last year. Even better last night - the acoustics of the little hall in Sheffield were much more conducive than a church building.

Self-confessed Wayne Shorter obsessive with Iain Ballamy as one of her teachers, Clowes puts on an all-originals programme of accessible but asymmetrical jazz. Curious tunes that can be very groove driven in places but then enter zones without any strict time focus. She has a beautiful tone on her two saxes - most reminiscent of Shorter (and sometimes Surman) on soprano. On tenor I kept hearing late Stan Getz!

Excellent band - Maddren seems to be everywhere at present. Munks I'd never heard before (he was substituting for Chris Montague who is clearly busy with Tyoyka) - he played some marvellously restrained solos. Biggest surprise was Simcock - I've blown hot and cold with him. Often find him a bit florid (though I do recall a thrilling gig he did with Stan Sulzmann, rushing into the venue straight from playing with Lee Konitz). Last night his solos were much more pithy, very exciting, getting genuine (rather than auto-jazz-fan) rounds of applause on two occasions.

Trish Clowes is someone to watch - clearly utterly beguiled by music, wanting to explore, wide open in her listening tastes. At the start of her career but I'd mark as player worth following.

She seems to tour widely in the UK. Try and hear her when she comes your way.

Edited February 28, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[sidewinder]

James Maddren certainly appearing all over the place with Ant Law, Compassionate Dictatorship etc. Excellent, versatile player !

[A Lark Ascending]

The Unthanks at Sheffield City Hall

Here looking almost as miserable as their songs. Not sure how Phil Collins got in the picture.

I've not seen them since they started out ten years back between their first and second records. They've grown in size and scope since then with soaring near-orchestral arrangements - yet the essential character still lies at the heart. They've just become more open to a wider range of influences which sets them apart from most other folk inspired groups.

Highlights included a manic bit of clog dancing against a minimalist string arrangement (imagine Philip Glass writing an opera based on 'Auf Wiedersehn, Pet'); a lovely performance of their version of King Crimson's 'Starless and Bible Black' and the long title track from the new album used as a closer with a marvellous instrumental build up towards then end. some beautiful trumpet leading into a final bout of manic clog dancing.

How do they get to the next level? A couple of improvising musicians, I think. They are not scared of long songs and some of those instrumental passages cry out for a bit of free-wheeling.

On the other hand....

Karma here! Sheffield City Hall is odd. Every time I go I get ushered into a different room - it's like the Tardis. This time it was the 'Ballroom' deep in the bowels of the building (suspect it doubles as a nuclear fallout shelter). And there were...NO CHAIRS! There was I moaning about the lack of a dance floor for Shostakovich last week and what do I get - dance floor all night! What were they thinking? Average age of the audience was ninety. The room was also extremely resonant so every time someone fell over and died the crash echoed round the building.

All standing gigs seem to be a thing for folk groups wanting to be youthful and edgy. But I think the venue got the audience wrong this time - it was the usual bunch of teachers and social workers. We like to tap our feet but we do need to sit down.

Great concert, though.

Edited March 1, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[Justin V]

Last Friday, I caught two sets of Lee Konitz and Dan Tepfer at Constellation in Chicago. This was the third time I'd seen them perform as a duo (I've also seen them twice in a quartet), and it's been an honor to witness how their partnership continues to develop and deepen. My friend snapped a few pics at the very beginning of their first set. Here are two:

I caught the Renga Ensemble in Cleveland tonight. The group consisted of the leader, James Falzone, Ken Vandermark, Keefe Jackson, Dave Rempis (Ben Goldberg plays on their new album), Jason Stein and Ned Rothenberg. I hadn't previously heard Falzone, Rempis or Rothenberg and hadn't seen any of the members live. Knowing of their reputations and/or some of their music, I would've seen any of them individually; to see them together and in such a fine venue (the revived Bop Stop) was a treat.

I won't get into the individual members, all of whom rose to the occasion on their own and collectively. The group was challenging and complex but eminently listenable. Given the sheer number of woodwinds at their disposal, there was more than enough textural variety to maintain interest throughout the approximately 100 minutes they played (over the course of two sets). Although every member of the ensemble has established himself as a leader, it was a night devoid of ego, and they approached some difficult music with enthusiasm and respect. The composed sections ranged from uptempo to somber or serene (and even whimsical in a winking, Misha Mengelberg kind of way) , and the arrangements allowed for a lot of freedom in the solos and often paired soloists interacting with backing from the rest of the group.

I ended up picking up their new album, The Room Is, and Dave Rempis's, Aphelion (with Joshua Abrams and Avreeayl Ra). Hopefully, some other forum members get a chance to check them out.

[Leeway]

I caught the Renga Ensemble in Cleveland tonight. The group consisted of the leader, James Falzone, Ken Vandermark, Keefe Jackson, Dave Rempis (Ben Goldberg plays on their new album), Jason Stein and Ned Rothenberg. I hadn't previously heard Falzone, Rempis or Rothenberg and hadn't seen any of the members live. Knowing of their reputations and/or some of their music, I would've seen any of them individually; to see them together and in such a fine venue (the revived Bop Stop) was a treat.

I won't get into the individual members, all of whom rose to the occasion on their own and collectively. The group was challenging and complex but eminently listenable. Given the sheer number of woodwinds at their disposal, there was more than enough textural variety to maintain interest throughout the approximately 100 minutes they played (over the course of two sets). Although every member of the ensemble has established himself as a leader, it was a night devoid of ego, and they approached some difficult music with enthusiasm and respect. The composed sections ranged from uptempo to somber or serene (and even whimsical in a winking, Misha Mengelberg kind of way) , and the arrangements allowed for a lot of freedom in the solos and often paired soloists interacting with backing from the rest of the group.

I ended up picking up their new album, The Room Is, and Dave Rempis's, Aphelion (with Joshua Abrams and Avreeayl Ra). Hopefully, some other forum members get a chance to check them out.

Thanks for the write-up. Renga is scheduled to be in Baltimore, March 6th, and I will try to see them there.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Leeway

[ejp626]

I had a full post just eaten. Don't feel like retyping. (Kind of sick of the O board software at the moment.)

Saw Amici Chamber Ensemble with special guests, esp. Kim Kashkashian on viola.

Programme here: http://amiciensemble.com/event/kim-kashkashian-in-remembrance/