Philadelphia haps, cont’d.

In the current Philadelphia Weekly:

George Burton Quartet
Fri., Oct. 30, 8pm. $10. Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, 847 N. 3rd St. 215.922.1035 www.ortliebsjazzhaus.com

If you stopped into Tritone last year for one of Matt Davis’ enchanting gigs with Aerial Photograph, you may have seen George Burton playing viola and playing it well. But Burton is in fact a hot contender on piano, and he’s managed to score something very crucial to a young musician: high-profile gigs with seasoned, much older musicians like saxophonist Odean Pope, trumpeter Charles Tolliver and unsung Philly drummer Donald Bailey, Jr. As he imbibes jazz history from the source, Burton is able to bring a sense of wisdom to his own bandleading. These days his group includes fellow burners Jaleel Shaw on alto and Wayne Smith on drums. — David R. Adler

Taylor Ho Bynum-John Hebert-Gerald Cleaver
Mon., Nov. 2, 8pm. Free. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.573.3234 www.arsnovaworkshop.org

These three are pacesetters in modern improvisation, so the very idea of their convergence as a trio is rich with promise. Cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum has worked alongside Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton and other giants; his own bands include SpiderMonkey Strings and Positive Catastrophe. Bassist John Hebert played with the great Andrew Hill until the pianist’s death in 2007; he’s currently with Fred Hersch and leading his own Byzantine Monkey. Drummer Gerald Cleaver can wail with free-jazz icons like Roscoe Mitchell and Matthew Shipp, then turn around and offer swinging, melodic treasures with his own group Violet Hour. Together, they’ve got six wide-open ears and infinite musical options. — David R. Adler