FIRE! ~ 2019 Concert of the Year

March 2019 ~ Presented by Ars Nova Workshop

L to R: Mats Gustafsson, Johan Berthling, Andreas Werlin

With a rhythm  section that could have played in Black Sabbath, combined with Peter Brotzmann inspired screaming saxophone, Swedish trio “Fire!” was CONCERT OF THE YEAR 2019.  Johan Berthling’s bass tone was dirty and fuzzy.  Mats Gustafssow is closest of his contemporaries to the Brotzmann style and that’s not a label, it’s a compliment. “Hands”, the trio latest recording, was as good as the concert.  

CONCERT REVIEW: Best show of 2017? It was a tie.

L to R: Luke Stewart, Moor Mother, Keir Neuringer, WatSun

March 17th, 2017 at the Rotunda- “Community Futurism: An Evening curated by Moor Mother” (Various artists led by Moor Mother/Camae Ayewa). Segments of the show included music from 2017’s Irreversible Entanglements, a recording of young lion jazz players, backing Moor Mother’s spoken word/electronica expressions. A concert worthy of celebration for forward thinking jazz and electronica listeners. A show to be remembered by those in witness of a new thing when it was just beginning. April 2017’s Elliott Levin Trio with special guest Marshall Allen also held at the Rotunda. Marshall Allen effortlessly unfurled melody over a trio of jazz musicians led by Elliott Levin (reeds and spoken word) using a child’s handheld electronic keyboard, a cosmic sounding EVI instrument, and a flute. The music simmered and never reached a boiling point but it did not have to. Simmering was enough! A uncharacteristically quiet and pensive performance from Elliott Levin that was no less thrilling to witness.

L to R: Elliott Levin, Jackson Krall, Larry Roland, Marshall Allen