Michael Formanek’s Drome Trio w/ guest Angelica Sanchez Roulette Tuesday, January 24
“My intention was to write down my musical ideas and consciously bend them back around to where they started,” says Michael Formanek about his latest book of tunes. “This psychological trick that I played on myself was to try and keep me from thinking only in a strictly linear way.” The resourceful bassist’s band is inspired by the equilibrium of palindromes – the group likes to split things evenly, fore and aft. So really, when Formanek, drummer Vinnie Sperrazza and saxophonist Chet Doxas burrow into a piece, it’s all about P-L-I-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y and the smarts needed to keep symmetry at the top of the agenda. Ideas can seem elastic in these kind of gambits. Last summer at Downtown Music Gallery, Team Drome reminded how flexible a trio can be, with the leader pulling explosive taffy from his instrument, the horn player surveying the value of every phrase he concocted, and the percussionist handling all aspects of interrogation and ignition. It was magnificent. Let’s see how a sizable stage and an inventive new ally on piano amends their balance.
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John Hebért Quartet The Django Thursday, January 25
When virtuosity is delivered through a judicious filter, its impact expands. The esteemed bassist is one of those improvisers whose playing makes everything around him blossom further than expected. Onstage, Hebért constantly applies his impressive skills – weighty like Mingus but slippery like Peacock – in ways that enhance the ensemble action, and the mates he’s chosen for this Django hit are all fellow travelers who have worked together in various subsets, sharing an aesthetic slant when it comes to nurturing a seasoned outcat eloquence. Check Hebért’s balanced lyricism on Lossing’s Folks record from last summer. Check saxophonist Adam Kolker’s interplay with Hebért on “In Or Out” from the horn player’s Flag Day. Check the eerie uplift from drummer Billy Mintz when all four of them exhale together on “Song Along The Way” from Kolker’s Reflections. The bandleader – who’s augmented ensembles led by heroes such as Andrew Hill and Paul Bley – knows how to cull from the tradition to choose a setlist that will tickle an audience. This is a kind of a go-anywhere, do-anything outfit, as entertaining as they are arty.
George Garzone + Ari Hoenig Bar Bayeux Friday, January 27
The feisty tenor saxophonist is one of those cats who wows a room, especially a cozy club like Bayeux. Last time he blew in from Boston, where his rep as a performer is iconic and his shadow as an academic is long, he was ready to roll, riding every splash, thud and paradiddle that drummer Jeff Watts threw his way. It’s a persuasive sound that comes from Garzone’s horn, as often filled with romance as it is bluster. With his longstanding freeprov unit The Fringe, he’s built a rep on being equally comfortable waxing sentimental or defiant. I’m recalling an “I Remember You” from a few years ago that managed to blend both emotions in one performance. I’m also recalling an ancient Providence gig where he was blowing so hard we thought the nails would come out of the walls. Now 72, Garzone is as ardent as ever; he doesn’t get to NYC as often as his local fans would like, but lately he has been hitting town with more frequency than previous. This time he shares the stage with the remarkably agile drummer Ari Hoenig. Be wise and swing by Prospect Lefferts Gardens to catch a dude who can make informed speculation scan as regal proclamation
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
Tim Berne/Gregg Belisle-Chi/Tom Rainey Lowlands January, Thursday 26
Joel Ross Seeds Wednesday, January 25-28
Jeff Davis, Eivind Opsvik, Jonathan Goldberger MAIN DRAG Wednesday, January 25
Free Birds Jazz Gallery Wednesday, January 25
Sam Newsome / William Parker, Ellen Christi, Patricia Nicholson Art For Arts show at Five Myles Saturday, Jan 28
Brad Mehldau Village Vanguard Tuesday, January 23-29
Bill Charlap Trio Smoke January 26-29
Aaron Parks, Vincente Archer, Nasheet Waits Mezzrow Saturday, January 28
Jacob Garchik’s Clear Line iBeam Friday, January 27
Brandon Ross’ “Glyph/Sonic” Roulette Friday, January 27
Akiko Pavolka Trio Barbès Wednesday, January 25
Devin Gray/Chris Lightcap/Ralph Alessi Endless Life Brewing Saturday, January 28
Thulani Davis + Wadada Leo Smith Harlem Stage Friday, January 27
Miles Okazaki residency The Stone (at the New School) January 25-28
Joel Harrison Roulette Thursday, January 26
Harish Raghavan LunÀtico Sunday, January 29
Oscar Noriega’s Crooked Quartet Barbès Friday, January 27
King Kozy (Michael Blake, Ed Cherry, Tony Scherr, Allan Mednard) LunÀtico Monday, January 30
Peter Evans + Elias Stemeseder Record Shop, Red Hook Friday, January 27
Tim Berne’s Bat Channel Barbès Saturday, January 28
Mike McGinnis + 9 Road*Trip Band Barbès Tuesday, January 31
Amir ElSaffar / Michael Sarian double bill The Owl Music Parlor Sunday, January 29
Carmen Staaf/Caleb Wheeler Curtis/Jeremy Stratton/Keyon Gordon Bar Bayeux Thursday, Jan 26
Bookworms / Charmaine Lee / Nate Wooley’s Mutual Aid Music / Piotr Orlov aka Dada Strain Sisters Wednesday, January 25
Lament For A Straight Line 