David Binney, Eivind Opsvik, Craig Taborn, Brian Blade @ Joe’s Pub

Dave Binney @ Joe's Pub

Played mostly tunes from Dave Binney’s newest album “Aliso” (which stands for the street he grew up on in California). It was my first time hearing Brian Blade live, and I was really excited about that. And he totally played up to the expectations I had…. – really something else! He had such a graceful groove, perfect flow in the music. Was a great band in general, definitely worth seeing that one. Craig Taborn was featured quite a bit, almost taking the spotlight from the leader. They also played a tune from one of my favorite Dave Binney records, Out of Airplanes.

David Binney, Eivind Opsvik, Craig Taborn, Brian Blade @ Joe's Pub

Dave Binney @ Joe's Pub

Played mostly tunes from Dave Binney’s newest album “Aliso” (which stands for the street he grew up on in California). It was my first time hearing Brian Blade live, and I was really excited about that. And he totally played up to the expectations I had…. – really something else! He had such a graceful groove, perfect flow in the music. Was a great band in general, definitely worth seeing that one. Craig Taborn was featured quite a bit, almost taking the spotlight from the leader. They also played a tune from one of my favorite Dave Binney records, Out of Airplanes.

Taylor Haskins & Recombination / John Escreet Project double bill @ Drom

John Escreet with Dave Binney, Joe Sanders and Nasheet Waits

A Search & Restore event with two really exciting bands! On that snowy Sunday night. I was very glad I made it out there.

First, John Escreet featuring Dave Binney on alto sax, Nasheet Waits on drums and Joe Sanders on bass. I was quite late for it, but what i heard was just incredibly good! Can’t get enough of Nasheet Waits! They were all really killing, totally love that band.

And then – Taylor Haskins & Recombination featuring Ben Monder on guitar, Henry Hey on keys, Todd Sickafoose on bass and Nate Smith on drums and a special guest appearance by Samuel Torres. Great music with a really hot hot luscious groove, I loved it.

Mark Guiliana's THING @ Rose Live Music – 2009 final

Mark Guiliana's THING @ Rose

The last one in 2009. Featuring David Binney on alto, Jason Lindner on keys, Alan Hampton on bass and Mark Guiliana on drums.  Rose was really crowded, more people than usually. I preferred the second set, but generally I didn’t get so into it this time, for some reason. So far, my most memorable Mark Guiliana experiences have been the HEERNT gig in August and the first time I ever heard him in New York, with Brad Shepik and Bill McHenry. And the last two THING gigs @ Rose.  So, that was the last one in 2009 – I suspect I’m not going to hear Mark’s THING for a while now. Really sad.

Mark Guiliana’s THING @ Rose Live Music – 2009 final

Mark Guiliana's THING @ Rose

The last one in 2009. Featuring David Binney on alto, Jason Lindner on keys, Alan Hampton on bass and Mark Guiliana on drums.  Rose was really crowded, more people than usually. I preferred the second set, but generally I didn’t get so into it this time, for some reason. So far, my most memorable Mark Guiliana experiences have been the HEERNT gig in August and the first time I ever heard him in New York, with Brad Shepik and Bill McHenry. And the last two THING gigs @ Rose.  So, that was the last one in 2009 – I suspect I’m not going to hear Mark’s THING for a while now. Really sad.

Dave Binney Group @ Solo Kitchen Bar

Dave Binney Group @ Solo Kitchen Bar

His regular Tuesday-nights-@55Bar group with Jacob Sacks on keys, Thomas Morgan on bass, Dan Weiss on drums. Somehow it sounded even better @ Solo!  And it was packed. On the way there, on the Q-train, I heard people talking about it, how they were actually making the trip to Cortelyou just for that. So Solo Kitchen Bar is getting really popular, attracting crowds from Manhattan as well now. Maybe it’ll take over the Japanese tourists from the Blue Note some day once people realize how hip the place is

That concert was so killin’! That band together, wow, they have obviously played together a lot . Really great killin’ New York jazz, I enjoyed it so much! And now that Mark Guiliana is out of town for a while, I think Dan Weiss is the perfect drummer to start stalking next

John Escreet Project @ Jazz Standard

John Escreet Project

Another Wednesday that had too much great jazz to choose from. I thought I was going to be working that night and not see any of it, but by some weird coincidences I actually made it to John Escreet Project concert at Jazz Standard.  I was really happy about it since they only got one night booked there. Heard both sets – was really good! Not too many people were there for the first one, though.  John Escreet (piano, compositions), David Binney (tenor, effects), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Zack Lober (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums). I loved the compositions! Perfect balance between improvisation and composition, I was thinking. And so much interplay going on in the band – I know trios can often be so dynamic and full of interaction, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much active awareness of space in a quintet. Was really organic, dynamic and well balanced.  Great musicians, that’s why, I guess . Found myself another favorite trumpet player – Ambrose Akinmusire.

And another thing – I happened to sit next to Adam Schatz and found out about this really cool website he’s doing – http://searchandrestore.com/ A great one for New York Jazz, really! Glad I found it Tried to make it to Nir Felder’s gig @ Smalls that night as well, but was too late.

Dave Binney Quartet @ 55 Bar

Dave Binney @ 55 Bar

Dave Binney (alto), Craig Taborn (keys), Dan Weiss (drums), Thomas Morgan (bass). I made it to the second set, it was killin’! This is one of New York’s leading jazz bands, I guess, playing regularly @ 55 Bar every other Tuesday. It was quite packed this time. Another great thing about New York -  you can actually fill a venue with people totally digging this modern and advanced jazz   And it was really happening there.

Mark Guiliana's Thing @ Rose part II

Mark Guiliana's Thing @ Rose

Went to hear Mark Guiliana’s Thing at Rose again (with all new music)  – I’m pretty sure it had to be the hippest concert in the city last night . This time it was all about experimenting and jamming – with guests such as David Binney joining in. First set was Mark Guiliana with Mark Kelley on bass (is it really the same guy as Meshell Ndegeocello’s band member? wow!) and Mike Severson on guitar, on a loud psychedelic trip. Mike Severson has the real jimi-hendrixy kind of guitar player’s attitude – lots of loud bending and overdrive, making a good use of rock riffs and blues cliches but complimenting it tastefully with some outside playing at times. And Mark Kelley is a great partner for Mark Guiliana – so inventive, original and – GROOVING bass player.  For the second set Nir Felder and Dave Binney joined – some top class jazz playing complimenting the picture.

Mark Guiliana’s Thing @ Rose part II

Mark Guiliana's Thing @ Rose

Went to hear Mark Guiliana’s Thing at Rose again (with all new music)  – I’m pretty sure it had to be the hippest concert in the city last night . This time it was all about experimenting and jamming – with guests such as David Binney joining in. First set was Mark Guiliana with Mark Kelley on bass (is it really the same guy as Meshell Ndegeocello’s band member? wow!) and Mike Severson on guitar, on a loud psychedelic trip. Mike Severson has the real jimi-hendrixy kind of guitar player’s attitude – lots of loud bending and overdrive, making a good use of rock riffs and blues cliches but complimenting it tastefully with some outside playing at times. And Mark Kelley is a great partner for Mark Guiliana – so inventive, original and – GROOVING bass player.  For the second set Nir Felder and Dave Binney joined – some top class jazz playing complimenting the picture.