Avant Music News

From Philly’s Ars Nova Workshop:

Friday, September 11, 8pm
MARY HALVORSON QUINTET
with Mary Halvorson, el. guitar; Jonathan Finlayson, trumpet; Jon Irabagon, alto saxophone; Trevor Dunn, bass; and Tomas Fujiwara, drums

International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut Street
$12 General Admission

A veteran of esteemed composer Anthony Braxton’s ensembles and “probably the most original jazz guitarist to emerge this decade” (Chicago Reader), guitarist Mary Halvorson returns with her new quintet. For this special performance she is joined by bassist Trevor Dunn (John Zorn’s Electric Masada, Fantomas), saxophonist Jon Irabagon, winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition and member of MOPDTK, and rising stars Tomas Fujiwara and Jonathan Finlayson (Steve Lehman, Steve Coleman). In addition to her acclaimed trio and quintet, she co-leads a chamber music duo with violist Jessica Pavone and the avant-rock band, People, with drummer Kevin Shea, as well as performs in groups led by Tim Berne, Taylor Ho Bynum, Jason Moran and John Tchicai. Not to be missed.

Thursday, September 24, 8pm
DIGITAL PRIMITIVES
with Cooper-Moore, diddly-bo/banjo; Assif Tsahar, reeds; and Chad Taylor, drums

Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, 1616 Walnut Street, Suite 100
$12 General Admission

Cooper-Moore has been a major catalyst in the world of creative music for over 30 years. His first fully-committed jazz group was formed in 1970 – the collective trio Apogee with David S. Ware and drummer Marc Edwards – which opened up for Sonny Rollins at the Village Vanguard in 1973. Following a trying European tour with Ware, Beaver Harris and Brian Smith in 1981, Cooper-Moore returned home and destroyed his piano – with sledgehammer and fire – in his backyard. It was not until the early 90s, when William Parker asked him to join his ensemble, In Order To Survive, that Cooper-Moore’s gifts were again regularly featured in a jazz context. For this rare appearance, he performs with Digital Primitives featuring Israeli reedsman Assif Tsahar, known for his work with Rashied Ali, Peter Kowald and Hamid Drake, and drummer Chad Taylor, a member of the Chicago Underground Duo, Iron and Wine, and a major contributor to Chicago’s post-rock scene where he has recorded with Tortoise, Isotope 217, Stereolab and Sam Prekop.

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