Was laying in bed thinking about the variety of zig-zag options for tonight’s Winter JazzFest Manhattan Marathon. Takes stamina and skill to catch all your choices, and seven times outta ten you just can’t traverse the way you want to. I’m thinking of a route that starts with Cyro Baptista at City Winery at 6 pm.
The Brazilian percussionist-composer’s new Chama (Ropeadope) is a fetching soundscape that blends deep grooves and dreamy reveries. Then cut to Zinc Bar for the Micah Thomas Trio, whose recent Reveal (Art Work) brims with inspired interplay – piano trio action, both sly and bustling. Stand near the middle of the room so you can dash to Le Poisson Rouge for the a chunk of the Brandee Younger experience next. The harpist’s strings can be a balm in these insane times; check the poise of “Running Game” from her latest, Brand New Life (Impulse!). At 8 pm it’s time for the Marc Ribot/Mary Halvorson duet at Bowery Ballroom. Each gutarist is expert at forging a shared string lingo that delivers both sparks and susserations.
Next up? You gotta take a chance. Can you make it to RadioNublu in time to taste-test Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones hit? The gripping vocalist’s new “Third Space (Part A)” has been making my F train ride a bit more palatable the past two days. It’s from the group’s New Monuments (We Jazz), arriving in March. Then swerve up the street to the Nublu home base for the roiling wind sounds of Mr Marshall Allen and his Ghost Horizons outfit. The Sun Ra superhero doesn’t need the full Arkestra to make a point; this smaller ensemble (sometimes a quintet) percolates quite well on its own.
At that point Bleeker beckons: Tyshawn Sorey’s piano trio is at LPR at 10 pm. Continuing (PiRecordings) is one of 2023’s most arresting dates, and they build on its eloquence live. Caught ’em at the Vanguard last fall. Yes, they slayed (as did the leader tipping the hat to Max Roach during the WJF’s kick-off gig at Public Records Wednesday night). Of course on your way you COULD zoom straight across town and try to make it to City Winery for Immanuel Wilkins’ 9:45 start, but methinks the saxophonist’s diehard fans (a growth demo) will have been camped out there for a while, and grabbing real estate could be tough). Have trouble getting into the Red Fish for the Tyshawn show? Breeze to Zürcher Gallery for the Angelika Niescier/Tomeka Reid/Savannah Harris confab. The trio’s Beyond Dragons (Intakt) was one of last year’s celebrated affairs. Then it’s back to Bowery Ballroom for the Jazz Passengers’ celebration of Curtis Fowlkes, their long-time trombonist who passed in August but will continue to inspire forever.
Coffee-up, because at 12:30 it’s the Harvest Time Project: A Tribute to Pharoah Sanders at LPR. Luaka Bop recently made a gorgeous reissue of the maestro’s 1977’s self-titled India Navigation album. James Brandon Lewis and Chad Taylor are at the center of an aggregate tipping the hat to that record’s mesmerizing spirit. Then you better get that all-important slice with extra pepperoni and return downstairs for the 1:45 am offering by Craig Taborn, Tomeka Reid and Ches Smith. You’ve got it in ya, right?
+++++++++++++++++
Overwhelming? Your body ain’t moving so good any more? Hit Barbès at 5:30 for the unholy communion of Tim Berne/Chris Lightcap/Tom Rainey/Brandon Seabrook trying to catch a steady stream of rollers, and stay put for the entire evening to help Tony Malaby blow out 60 birthday candles with assistance from Mr Rainey and Angelica Sanchez. Sometimes running around ain’t the best option.
Lament For A Straight Line 