Serving the San Francisco Bay Area New Music Community

Fri, Sep 19 2025 7:30 PM

CNMAT
1750 Arch Street Berkeley
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A dynamic, spontaneous, hard-hitting free jazz group punctuated by motifs and forms.

Insect Life was formed from weekly free improv. sessions at Ben Goldberg’s house. Over time they developed a sound, a blend, a way of playing together outside individual customary approaches. The search generated a more instant orchestral group sound with the cello and drums switching between the blend of the wind and providing rhythmic drive.

The group is joined by the exciting, effervescent pianist Myra Melford who adds another layer/range of texture and energy and Hamir Atwal, a drummer with his finger on the pulse of the New York music scene.

An album titled Insect Life with Gerald Cleaver and remixes by Zachary Watkins will be released with 577 Records later on this year.

Cost: Donation
Audio samples in which musicians at this event play:
Videos featuring musicians playing at this event
Myra Melford and Satoko Fujii