What live music are you going to see tonight?

[Van Basten II]

It's not the first I'm seeing Hiromi, but never noticed before that she grunts so much, at times thought I was attending a Maria Sharapova tennis match.

She has a lot of mannerisms that are at times aggravating but there's no denying her technique, hope she finds the artistical maturity and a project that she could use her amazing talent to fruition.

Meanwhile, she plays piano like it is a sport instead of a musical instrument.

Despite all those misgivings, felt she has improved, there is a bit more emotion that goes through her music than she used to.

[Van Basten II]

Saw Christine Jensen Orchestra tonight One of the best show I saw in a while. If you're into Maria Schneider like music, do not miss them.

[jeffcrom]

A nice evening for Jeffery. I did my first piano gig in over a year - a hand injury left me uncertain about whether I would ever be able to do a full gig on piano again (although the injury doesn't give me any problems playing saxophone). Got through it with no real problems, then the bassist and I fell by Fat Matt's Rib Shack in Atlanta to hear a couple of sets by Joe Lee Bush. Joe Lee is a direct link to Little Walter - as a kid he would ride his bicycle to the Royal Peacock on Auburn Avenue when Walter was in town, and Walter would give him lessons between sets. Some smokin' blues tonight.

[Van Basten II]

Saw Steve Smith's Vital Legacy. Definitely not the the same musical pleasure than the Jensen Orchestra. It will sound a bit harsh, buit to me the way this things worked it reminds me the bit during a rock concert when the main singer leaves the stage to take a break and let stage musicians jam a bit. Well, imagine if the singer doing so went to the bathroom and got stuck for 90 minutes insude them leaving the band by themselves for 90 minutes. Well, that's basically what we had. Not that is was completely bad, it is simply not my conception of music.

[Van Basten II]

Adrian Vedady quartet with guest Marc Copland

[Brad]

A little late but saw Clapton and Jeff Beck in NY. They each had their own sets and then played together. Beck was wonderful, playing selections from his new album. Clapton didn't seem to be too engaged but was better when he played with Jeff. They did a very unusual Moon River. The critics didn't seem to like it but I thought it was great. Wish they would have played together longer.

Seeing Jeff in June. Oh, yeah!

[kh1958]

Houston Person--University of Texas at Dallas

[Van Basten II]

A little late but saw Clapton and Jeff Beck in NY. They each had their own sets and then played together. Beck was wonderful, playing selections from his new album. Clapton didn't seem to be too engaged but was better when he played with Jeff. They did a very unusual Moon River. The critics didn't seem to like it but I thought it was great. Wish they would have played together longer.

Seeing Jeff in June. Oh, yeah!

Critics here saw it like you did, weren't that impressed by Clapton either.

[Aggie87]

Going to go see Joe Ely tonight. Looking forward to seeing him - it's a singer/songwriter gig, so I'm assuming it's either solo or maybe with Joel Guzman.

Caught Willie Nelson last night, and it was ok...just ok. Not much energy on stage or in the audience. Though Willie's 77 I think, and probably did a bit of "mellowing out" before the show, so I guess I shouldn't have expected a high-energy show.

[ejp626]

Tinariwen at Old Town School of Music here in Chi-town. Absolutely awesome. They are wrapping up a US tour, but are playing 3 more dates in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City). They actually come through Chicago every year, despite being fairly unknown in the States (compared to the much higher profile they have in the UK). But this year, they are coming back through for some summer festivals - Summerstage in Central Park, KCRW World Fest at the Hollywood Bowl and 3 dates in Chicago's Millennium Park in June! I'm so stoked.

Millennium Park has been able to get some absolutely fantastic African groups through. Last year Orchestra Baobab. This year we get Konono #1 and Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba. Toumani Diabate is supposed to play with the Grant Park Orchestra in August. It does help make up for some dreadful and dreary winters (though this year the East Coast got it much, much worse than we did). I'll just have to block out everything else to make sure I make most of these concerts.

[Bright Moments]

friday night:

first - Ramesy Lewis Trio (GREAT performance - TIGHT group)

then - Al Jareau - enjoyable but can't say it was great.

Saturday:

with my family - They Might Be Giants" - lots of family fun!

[king ubu]

Saw Elina Duni and her band last night - wonderful music!

She's from Albania originally but has found her home, it seems, in the Swiss jazz scene. Her band is stellar, with Colin Vallon at the piano, Bänz Oester on bass and Norbert Pfammatter on drums. Very sympathetic, to say the least, and as much at home doing straight stuff as well as odd metres, which are needed in some of the tunes, as Duni does mostly traditional songs from the Balcans (from Roumania, Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria...) and in between she does some Gainsbourg, Ferré or (as last night) Nick Drake ("Riverman", also the closer of the new disc).

Check out some of her music, she's really good!

In two weeks, Yasmin Levy will play here - anyone seen her in person? I have two of her albums and like them a lot, but I'll be at Abdullah Ibrahim's concert the night before, so I'm not sure...

[NIS]

Tonight - Fugimundi Trio - Eric Vloeimans/Anton Goudsmit/Harmen Fraanje

[Peter Johnson]

Great Bob Mould solo show in Philly, Looked for J. H. Deeley, with no success--were you there?

[Chalupa]

No, I was feeling a little under the weather. Hated to have to eat that ticket. Oh well... definitely going to the Art Ensemble on Saturday.

[Guest Bill Barton]

I'm looking forward to Butch Morris at Cornish College tomorrow night.

Conduction No. 189, S & P

[jlhoots]

Kate McGarry Less Is More Trio with Keith Ganz & Clarence Penn

[Chalupa]

Last night - Man Man/Javelin/Skin Cells

Tonight - Art Ensemble of Chicago

[paul secor]

Not music as such - a concert with Professor Irwin Corey, Dick Gregory, and Jerry Stiller.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing Prof. Corey - one of my all time favorites.

[sidewinder]

Looking forward to seeing and hearing Prof. Corey - one of my all time favorites.

Last saw him nearly 30 years ago now as part of a double bill at Ronnie Scotts with Cedar Walton (the same venue where he tried out Miles' sunglasses ). Amazing that he's still actively performing - would be interested to hear how it goes.

Edited March 6, 2010 by sidewinder

[paul secor]

Looking forward to seeing and hearing Prof. Corey - one of my all time favorites.

Last saw him nearly 30 years ago now as part of a double bill at Ronnie Scotts with Cedar Walton (the same venue where he tried out Miles' sunglasses ). Amazing that he's still actively performing - would be interested to hear how it goes.

I'll post a report. Prof. Corey is 95, so I'm hoping for the best.

[sidewinder]

Looking forward to seeing and hearing Prof. Corey - one of my all time favorites.

Last saw him nearly 30 years ago now as part of a double bill at Ronnie Scotts with Cedar Walton (the same venue where he tried out Miles' sunglasses ). Amazing that he's still actively performing - would be interested to hear how it goes.

I'll post a report. Prof. Corey is 95, so I'm hoping for the best.

Wow - I figured he was well into his 60s when I saw him. Even though he was wearing baseball sneakers with his tux !

Edited March 6, 2010 by sidewinder

[Peter Johnson]

Wowowwwowwwowwwwwww....just got home after the Art Ensemble show in Philly, with Roscoe Mitchell fronting on soprano and alto sax. I don't even know what to say about this incredible show. The band hit a groove from the first note from William Parker from an African bass of some sort, and swung like hell for an hour and a half. I did not know until tonight that Roscoe was a master of circular breathing; at one point, he played what must have been a 15 minute solo without an "air break." The audience was completely into the show, other than a few walkout stragglers (their loss); loved hearing someone shout for "Jackson in the House" at the encore. My AACM knowledge is regrettably not as comprehensive as it should be, so I can't report as to the specific songs played--but the concert just kicked some serious, groovin' ass. Many thanks to Chuck for getting this music out there.

Edited March 7, 2010 by Peter Johnson

[ejp626]

Saw Jon Langford (former drummer of the Mekons and a bunch of other bands) playing a solo gig at Schubas. Interestingly, a while back he learned guitar, then he formed the Waco Brothers and started playing music that incorporated folk and country. To me his set seemed a bit more in the folk than country tradition. He even did a few brand new songs and then ended with three covers (including Save the Bones for Henry Jones by Danny Barker -- the closest he ever gets to jazz he told us) He played what I guess was an amplified acoustic guitar. I did like his banter between songs, often quite amusing. While it probably is just in my mind, it felt like maybe what it would be like to catch Paul Weller doing an acoustic set in a tiny, intimate venue. A lot of fun.

[Van Basten II]

Went out last night to see pianist Marianne Trudel in a quartet starring Tony Malaby, let's mention also the rhythm section since they did a terrific job on drums Robbie Kuster and bass Morgan Moore.