Steve Reynolds

Last night in Catskill, NY Michael Foster, Webb Crawford & Joey Sullivan great to see our Clifford there:) strong 30 minute piece with the last third with Foster on soprano altering molecules. Webb on her baby Gibson & tenor banjo. Extraordinary improvisor.

2 short intense magisterial sets from the trio. Monder & Malaby are brilliant together. great new small room opened in June. 4 feet from the musicians. Close Up indeed.

Tonight: Tony Malaby, Ben Monder & Tom Rainey 2 sets at Close Up in NYC last Thursday second set was John Blum & Chuck Roth duo 38 minute & 20 minute unrelenting improvisations / Blum almost too much. He’s so great it’s often too much. Chuck Roth from another planet.

Hoping Mat & Lucian get the quartet together again soon with Brandon Lopez & Randy Peterson tonight Tim Berne with Greg Belisle-Chi, Aurora Nealand, John Hebert & Tom Rainey at Lowlands in Brooklyn

Yes I’ve seen him fairly often the last 2 years. Playing as great as ever. As far as “jazz” bassists in NYC, Helias & Hebert are the best. Brandon Lopez is a great “jazz” bassist but besides his playing in Mat Maneri’s quartet, most of what he does is abstract improv. Untouchable in those areas. Genius.

Last night at Solar Myth: Nels Cline, Greg Belisle-Chi, John Hebert & Chad Taylor compositions fine set but nowhere near the night before. Nels & Hebert were the stars. Greg a good foil but he still needs a way to go. Tough spot playing across from Nels Cline. He’s only on the scene less than 5 years so hopefully he will continue to progress with Berne. I’ll see him & Hebert on Tuesday with Berne, Aurora Nealand & Tom Rainey.

Darius is great live. I’ve heard him play stuff I’ve never heard on record. fwiw you dudes are spoiled (but not as much as I am) with Edwards/Sanders & Edwards/Noble I’m upset that Cleaver isn’t in NYC any longer and I don’t get to hear Lopez/Cleaver. Best combo along with Lopez/Peterson. Hoping Mat Maneri puts together a few shows this fall with his great quartet with Lucian Ban. Saw them 5 times last fall. I do hear Ches Smith, Tom Rainey all the time and I never take it for granted and even once in a while, Randy Peterson I saw Ches 4-5 times the last few weeks As far as bassists, some good younger ones finding their way: Henry Fraser, Kyle Motl, John Moran, Ana Abondolo, etc. also Sean Ali is great Brandon Lopez is the best bassist in NYC posted on the live shows thread: Nels Cline with Susan Alcorn & Booker Stardum last night was incredible. Mind blowing. Astounding from a variety of standpoints.

Last night at Solar Myth in Philadelphia Nels Cline on guitar Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar Booker Stardum on drums (first time seeing him) 55 minute improv followed by 8-9 minute encore maybe the best show of the year. Nels amazing but Susan Alcorn destroyed the universe. One of the greatest musicians on the planet.

Spectacular 54 minute set comprised of 6 pieces. all the musicians were great but Mary, Ches & the *great* William Winant destroyed atoms. Not sure I’ve heard Mary Halvorson play with so much fire & force. Power chords, slashing commentary and searing leads. Holy Moly.

I’ll be there. Not to be missed.

John Zorn’s Cobra 40th anniversary show at Roulette in Brooklyn with among others: Ches Smith Brian Marsella Sylvie Courvousier Taylor Levine Mary Halvorson William Winant Simon Hanes Kenny Wolleson Henry Fraser It was incredible Summer of 2023

At Union Pool with Susan Alcorn & Patrick Holmes Astounding Last night was far greater than the set at The Stone 68 minute set. First 23 minute piece ended Can like almost. Ches channeling outer space limits. Second 18 minute piece more typically free jazz. Last 2 pieces were beyond category and Mette reached heights not previously deemed possible. Lordy Lordy

Ryan Sawyer is great. I’ve seen him play often over the years. Last time this past Spring with Nate Wooley’s Columbia Icefield with Ava Mendoza & the *great* Susan Alcorn. Zeena is incredible especially on the electric harp which she will be playing tomorrow night with the abstract yet intense trio. One of the most unique trios I know of. Sawyer is a powerful drummer yet understands space and time. Kevin Reilly wouldn’t release a recording with a basher. It’s something he despises. I’ll ask Kevin tonight if there is any way that trio will get to London in the future.

I saw them the week before last so I kind of know what to expect. Tomorrow night it will be Glass Triangle with Mette, Zeena Parkins & Ryan Sawyer. In Brooklyn. yes it’s a very intense group. Very focused in the free jazz vernacular with a current/modernist vibe. Very technically proficient musicians who can be virtuosic yet they unleash big energy. Often the real technical virtuosos let their expertise rob energy from the music.

Tell me where I can find the podcast. Ches is a brilliant dude. Great composer, thinker & one of the best drummers on the planet.