There’s so much promising live music to take in this September, it looks like I’ll be losing sleep. But it’s worth it, right?
Guitarist Marc Ribot has made some memorable Denver area appearances, including a fantastic show with his band Los Cubanos Postizos at the Gothic Theatre in 1999. He’s been back a handful of times since, but his upcoming Sept. 20 performance at the Mercury Café promises to be one of his most incendiary yet. Ribot will be teaming up with another celebrated guitarist, Mary Halvorson, who’s been the deserved recipient of a lot of acclaim recently. The quartet fills out with bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Chad Taylor, both well-versed in creative expression. For those who crave the sound of surprise in their music, this is an experience not to be missed. The committed folks at Creative Music Works are presenting, and your support of shows like this can mean there will be more adventurousness coming our way. Tickets range from $27-$37, at humanitix.com.
Local trumpeter Joshua Trinidad has made a name for himself in the field of ambient music, and his contemplative sound on the horn merges with electronic soundscapes quite nicely, as is the case with his new release, “Resurgence.” Like the best ambient works, Trinidad’s recordings can be both soothing and otherwordly, depending on his approach. He takes his time unspooling thoughtful solos, and if you like what the late Jon Hassell did (as well as some ’70s Miles Davis), there’s much to absorb in Trinidad’s music. He’ll bring his quartet to Denver’s Dazzle on Sept. 21 at 9:30 p.m. Dazzledenver.com has details and tickets.
Pianist Art Lande is a legend living in our midst. The longtime Boulder resident has made a lot of warm music over the decades, and even recorded an impressive run of albums for the respected ECM label in the 1970s and ’80s. It’s always worth paying attention when Lande performs locally, as he will in a trio setting at the Boulder Jewish Community Center on Sept. 8. Lande is a member of the Flex Trio, with drummer Dru Heller and bassist Gonzalo Teppa. This should be an uplifting evening of music, and the press materials say the trio “embodies flexibility, flexion of muscle and mind, the reflex of heart and mood, and the inflection of a wide range of musical influences.” Don’t miss that, Boulder. Go to boulderjcc.org.
The bass clarinet is somewhat underrepresented in jazz, but in the right hands, it takes on the quality and quirks of the human voice. Jason Stein has been one of the chief practitioners on the instrument for awhile, but after a fruitful period of recordings and live performances (you might recall Stein opening for his sister, comedian Amy Schumer, at the Bellco Theater a few years back) he became much less visible. After sustaining an unnamed career-threatening injury, Stein underwent an intense period of investigating the healing arts, including cold water plunges and breathwork. These experiences led to his first recording in six years, “Anchors” (Tao Forms, out Sept. 13.)
The results are an intensely self-exploratory set. Stein is often in a more introspective mode here; his authoritative bass clarinet intuitively melds with Gerald Cleaver’s sensitive drumming and rising star Joshua Abrams’ dynamic bass. This is mindful music, and I hope to see Stein back in a Denver club soon. In the meantime, hear this next chapter in an uncompromising artist’s career.
And more jazz in Denver this month: The Jeremy Wendelin Quintet appears at Nocturne on Sept. 1. … The Buena Vista Social Orchestra plays the Paramount on Sept. 10. … Annie Booth’s Trio celebrates the release of a new album at Dazzle on Sept. 13-14. … Guitarist Julian Lage performs at the Gothic Theatre on Sept. 18.
Bret Saunders is a Colorado DJ and jazz aficionado.
