From NYTimes.com:
Fieldwork (Wednesday and Thursday) This collaborative threesome is rightly revered for its way with discursive melody and asymmetrical rhythmic forms; the heart of its sound is an ever-shifting rapport between the pianist Vijay Iyer, the saxophonist Steve Lehman and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey, all of whom compose material for the group. Next week’s shows kick off a programming spree by Pi Recordings, the band’s label, that will run to the end of the month. At 8 and 10 p.m., the Stone, Avenue C and Second Street, East Village, thestonenyc.com; $10 per set. (Chinen)
The Henry Grimes Now! Quartet (Friday) Mr. Grimes, a bassist, violinist and long-lost pillar of the 1960s avant-garde, recently made an album with the Argentine saxophonist Roberto Pettinato — better known in his homeland as a journalist and television personality — and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey. The same personnel reconvenes here with the vital addition of Dave Burrell, a fearsome pianist with whom Mr. Grimes recorded back in the day. From 8 to 9:30 p.m., Black River Cultural Center, 345 Lenox Avenue, at 127th Street, (347) 434-4055, henrygrimes.com; $15. (Chinen)
Kirk Knuffke Quartet (Wednesday) The cornetist Kirk Knuffke keeps one foot in exploratory terrain and the other in the jazz tradition — his most recent album, “Orange Was the Color” (Steeplechase), is a treatment of some cherished Charles Mingus tunes — which imbues his output with an appealing elasticity. His quartet features partners of like-minded perspective: the trombonist Brian Drye, the bassist Mark Helias and the drummer Jeff Davis. At 8 p.m., University of the Streets, 130 East Seventh Street, second floor, East Village, (212) 254-9300, universityofthestreets.org; $10. (Chinen)
Billy Martin’s Wicked Knee (Friday) Mr. Martin, the drummer and second surname in Medeski Martin & Wood, appears as part of that band’s weekly August residency at the Whitney Museum of American Art, presiding over a robust confab that includes the trumpeter Steven Bernstein, the trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and the tuba player Marcus Rojas. (He’ll also play improvised duets with the turntable artist Val-Inc.) At 7 p.m., Whitney Museum of American Art, (212) 570-3600, whitney.org; free with museum admission, which is pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. (Chinen)
The Masters Quartet: Steve Kuhn, Dave Liebman, Steve Swallow, Billy Drummond (Tuesday through Thursday) Three members of this all-star band share substantial history: the pianist Steve Kuhn, the multireedist Dave Liebman and the bassist Steve Swallow all worked together in the early 1980s. The name of their current group, which also includes Billy Drummond on drums, may have something to do with Mr. Leibman’s recent recognition as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. Or it may just be a collective assertion, richly deserved. (Through Aug. 20.) At 8:30 and 11 p.m., Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Clinton, (212) 581-3080, birdlandjazz.com; $30 and $40, with a $10 minimum. (Chinen)
Mike Pride’s From Bacteria to Boys (Tuesday) The intense and searching drummer Mike Pride brings the full measure of his concentration to his flagship band, which in this incarnation features the alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon, the keyboardist Alexis Marcelo and the bassist Peter Bitenc. The group is appearing on a lineup that also includes Jason Ajemian and the High Life, led by Mr. Ajemian, a bassist of eclectic interest and experience. At 10 p.m., Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow Street, between Stanton and Rivington Streets, Lower East Side, (212) 253-0036, cake-shop.com; $6. (Chinen)
Jenny Scheinman’s Mischief & Mayhem (Tuesday through Thursday) Ms. Scheinman, a violinist, favors a style both folksy and exploratory, leaning a bit more to the latter with this band, formed a few years ago and making a repeat appearance here. Her partners are the engagingly prickly guitarist Nels Cline, the stalwart bassist Todd Sickafoose and the polymorphically propulsive drummer Jim Black. (Through Aug. 21.) At 9 and 11 p.m., Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village, (212) 255-4037, villagevanguard.com; $25 cover, with a one-drink minimum. (Chinen)
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