Free-jazz Fridays: A new bi-weekly jazz series which highlights the seldom heard style of a later Coltrane or Ornette Coleman…jazz most often referred to as “free-jazz” or “avant-garde” jazz. This is a risky undertaking with a unique sound that usually sends the traditional jazz listener running in the other direction. It’s definitely not your grandfather’s jazz. But it definitely is ripe and ready to rise in The Bay Area.
Many recent examples of this music’s increasing popularity include the 20th Anniversary reissue of the infamous Ornette Coleman & Pat Matheny collaboration “Song X”…the recent rise of eclectic jazz newcomers, such as The Bad Plus…and not to mention a new radio show on the usually very traditional KCSM jazz station (“All Out”, with Greg Bridges, Thursday nights at 10:00p.m.)
WHERE: Just as non-conventional as the music itself is the venue in which it will be performed…”1510 8th”. A West Oakland underground spot, which definitely puts more emphasis on the music, over such “necessities” as a high-dollar light display, or for that matter even a stage. This is music, presented in a way that the most esteemed free-jazz musicians prefer: raw and improvised. 1510 8th Street, Oakland, CA 94607. One block from West Oakland BART station.
WHEN: “Every 1st & 3rd Friday”; beginning October 6th, October 20th, and so on, at 8:00 p.m.
October 6th: Damon Smith, bass,
Jon Raskin, horns & Spirit, drums. Amazing bassist Damon Smith will curate, shake, and bake this evening into a sweet pie as he hosts, invites, and improvises with some of his favorite musicians including the unmatchable Spirit on drums.
Damon has recorded and performed with some of the greatest names in the free-jazz world such as Peter Brotzmann and Cecil Taylor. He is the founder of Balance Point Acoustics (www.balancepointacoustics.com), a record label featuring the collaborations of several notable European musicians.
Jon Raskin...do we need to say anything more than, "ROVA"?
And the always energetic Spirit on drums.
Cost: $5 - $15 sliding scale