Saturday – Frequent duo partners Pianist Connie Crothers and bassist Michael Bisio decided to record one of their frequent sessions at Crothers’ Williamsburg loft last year. The results were magical, and released this year on the Mutable Music label. They will revisit the format at The Stone tonight, in what promises to be a riveting reunion.
Sunday – Saxophonist Michael Blake will debut some new music at the 55 Bar with his new quartet, a group that includes pianist Landon Knoblock, bassist Michael Bates, and drummer Greg Ritchie.
Monday – If you can’t beat the heat, at least hear some beautiful music. The elegant and incisive pianist Armen Donelian will take the stage in Bryant Park at 12:30 PM for a free concert.
Tuesday – While I have never hear the band This Sporting Life, the inclusion of the multireedist Josh Sinton and Myk Freedman — who played lapsteel beautifully when I went to school with him; you’ve got to love him just for that, right? — makes this an easy pick. The show is at Douglass Street Music Collective in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, so go out and hear some new music at a venue that deserves, and needs, your support. I’ll see you there.
Wednesday – Two women — guitarist Mary Halvorson and multi-instrumentalist Ikue Mori — who are continually redefining and reinvigorating improvisation play back to back at the Whitney Museum. Halvorson is the relative newcomer, but has been a force on the NYC creative music scene for the last 5 years. Mori has been a fixture since the late 1970’s when she emerged with the likes of the seminal downtown group DNA; today, she applies her considerable skills to laptop loops and electronic drones. Catch Halvorson at 1 PM followed by Mori at 4.
Thursday – Pianist Joanne Brackeen is a specialist when it comes to thorny rhythms and group interplay, but she is also a skilled ballad interpreter. Catch her compelling post-bop quartet — featuring bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Johnathan Blake — at the Jazz Standard tonight.
Friday – John Zorn hosts an improv night at The Stone featuring virbraphonist and pianist Karl Berger, multireedist Scott Robinson, pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, multi-instrumentalist Ikue Mori, drummer Greg Cohen and other guests. Not to be missed.
tuneOUToptIN 