Source: The New York Times
BORDERLANDS TRIO at the Jazz Gallery (Dec. 8-9, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.). The bassist Stephan Crump is best known for his work in the Vijay Iyer Trio, where he offers solid foundations that morph and dilate with an almost imperceptible fluidity. He recently joined two other serious talents — the pianist Kris Davis and the drummer Eric McPherson — to form the Borderlands Trio, which released its debut this year, the freely improvised “Asteroidea.” The band celebrates the disc with this weekend run.
646-494-3625, jazzgallery.nyc‘FOREVER WEIRD: MICROSCOPIC KAMIKAZE PASSENGERS’ at the Kitchen (Dec. 9, 7 p.m.). This triple bill features three flagship ensembles from Manhattan’s 1980s downtown scene: the Microscopic Septet, the Jazz Passengers and Kamikaze Ground Crew. Each had its own way of reflecting the theatrical absurdism that defined much of the era’s experimental art. And all three had comebacks of sorts this year: The Microscopics and the Jazz Passengers released albums, and Doug Wieselman of Kamikaze put out a wide-ranging record with another group, Trio S.
212-255-5793 ext. 11, thekitchen.org‘JUSTICE IS COMPASSION’ FESTIVAL at the Clemente Center (through Jan. 12, 7 p.m.). This marks the first weekend of Arts for Art’s monthlong festival, “Justice Is Compassion,” which elevates New York’s jazz avant-garde while promoting the idea that improvised music is a political art form, with certain antiauthoritarian convictions. This weekend features performances on Friday and Saturday night, and every set looks promising. In particular, look to the cornetist Kirk Knuffke, performing Friday at 7 p.m. (he released a fine trio album this year, “Cherryco”), and Joe Morris, an underappreciated guitarist of rusty tone and relentless sensitivity, who will play both nights.
Avant Music News 