Philly
On Andy Laster
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Andy Laster’s Sounds of Cairo Thu., Oct. 21, 8pm. Free. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.573.3234 www.arsnovaworkshop.org It’s said that New York’s downtown improvisers don’t bother traveling north of 14th Street. But they’re as geographically adventurous as it gets, incorporating sounds from Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East and just about everywhere. Andy Laster,
On Bobby Zankel
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound 4 Fri., Oct. 8, 9pm. $10 ($8 advance). With Thri. Moonstone Arts Center, 110 S. 13th St. 215.735.9600 www.moonstoneartscenter.org Brooklynite Bobby Zankel has called Philly home since 1975, and he’s a chief reason the city should take pride in its jazz scene. He’s not only a fire-spitting alto saxophonist, with a
On Amir ElSaffar
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers Sat., Oct. 2, 8pm. $25. Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914 www.paintedbride.org The new Painted Bride season revs up with Amir ElSaffar, an Iraqi-American trumpeter whose music in recent years has also emphasized his singing and santoor playing. ElSaffar’s 2007 release Two Rivers was deep stuff: an energized, personal
Nels Cline in Philly
Missed him last night in New York, but … in the new Philadelphia Weekly: Nels Cline Singers Wed., July 7, 8pm. $15 ($12 advance). With Richard Crandell, Good for Cows. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684 www.arsnovaworkshop.org Long before he became Wilco’s lead guitarist in 2004, Nels Cline was already a leading West Coast avant-gardist, making dissonant garage-jazz with
On Herbie Hancock
My review of The Imagine Project, in Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Tim Berne
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Tim Berne’s Los Totopos Thu., June 24, 8pm. $12. Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St. 215.545.4302 www.arsnovaworkshop.org For the last 30 years, alto saxophonist Tim Berne has developed a singularly challenging body of work for a host of different lineups (Bloodcount, Caos Totale, Big Satan, more). He recently struck up a creative rapport with
In the new Philadelphia Weekly
Tom Spiker’s Mobile Pleasure Lounge Wed., June 16, 9:30pm. $5. With Rafiq Bhatia Collective, Test Kitchen. Tritone, 1508 South St. 215.545.0475 www.tritonebar.com Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Tom Spiker is a Wilmington native and Philly resident since 2000, a close associate of experimental groove-jazz stalwarts (and Ornette Coleman alums) Jamaaladeen Tacuma and G. Calvin Weston. His Mobile Pleasure Lounge, an adventure in
Koboku Senju in Philly
In the new Philadelphia Weekly: Koboku SenjuFri., May 28, 8pm. $10. With Eric Carbonara. Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, 1616 Walnut St. Suite 100 215.545.7562 www.arsnovaworkshop.org No, it’s not a person. It’s a Japanese phrase meaning “selection of dead trees,” and also the moniker chosen by a unique quintet of Japanese and Norwegian improvisers: Tetuzi Akiyama on guitar, Toshimaru Nakamura on no-input mixing