Groups that performed:
Group 1: Juan Pablo Carletti-drums / Rob Brown-alto Sax
Group 2: Company Lopez – Brandon Lopez-bass / Sam Yulsman-Electronics, Matt Nelson-sax / TJ Borden-cello / Cecilia Lopez-Electronics
Group 3: Patrick Holmes-clarinet / Sarah Sandoval-dance
Group 4: James Brandon Lewis Vibe Freedom
James Brandon Lewis-tenor sax / Kirk Knuffke-cornet / Michael Bisio-bass / Nasheet Waits-drums
When it comes to the arts, there’s no place like New York City! For proof of that, look no further than Arts for Art’s incredible, free and ongoing concert series “Arts for Art InGardens.” On September 24th, I caught the groups presented at First Street Green Art Park, a little enclave off of 2nd avenue, that you will easily miss when you walk by it.
But the music was not to be missed! First off, a small crowd of about a dozen people gathered to hear the duo of the great Rob Brown and drummer Juan Pablo Carletti. Even though the music was unrepentantly avant-garde and abstract, the audience was quite engaged and stayed for the whole afternoon set. Brown and Carletti played two long performances that started and ended with groove-based interplay between the sax and drums, reminiscent of what Sam Rivers used to start his trio sets with – driving music with cascading lines of saxophone riding on top of surging percussion.
(Brown at left, Carletti at right)
At times the music slowed into a slower blues-soaked meditation by Brown, who’s tone and angular phases were something to behold in this small setting. Carletti used mallets, brushes and sticks to produce an assortment of rhythms and textural effects that kept the music moving along briskly. The audience included families with children who danced to Brown’s saxophone runs, to which Brown acknowledged his junior audience members, and his playing seemed to accompany the children’s playing as much as the other way around.
(Company Lopez – Left to right: Matt Nelson, TJ Borden, Sam Yulsman, Cecilia Lopez, and Brandon Lopez)
But that was only the first set – next bassist Brandon Lopez brought a third steam quintet that focused on fascinating textures. Lopez’ group produced a cloud of buzzing sounds from electronic keyboards, mixed with the interweaving lines of Lopez’ bass and TJ Borden’s cello, and when the music reached an apex, a tenor sax wailing on top of the din. The music’s soup of chordal humming was an effective contrast with the horn-driven groups that dominated the afternoon’s other presentations, and the mid afternoon sounds mingled with the traffic and machinery around the First Street Park, creating an urban environmental tapestry.
(Sarah Sandoval at left, Patrick Holmes, right)
The third set featured Patrick Holmes, who played evocative and beautiful lines on his clarinet as Sarah Sandoval danced in accompaniment. The pairing of Holmes’ serene music and Sandoval’s witty dancing was memorable. Sandoval was often very funny, making striking gestures with her body or face, and sometimes breaking what must be a “4th wall” of dancing by physically leaning into, dancing around (or under) Holmes while he played. At one point a posse of nearby motorcycles drove down 1st street, setting off car alarms. Sandoval reacted to the familiar city nuisance by vibrating her body to the din of the motorcycles, and then flailing to the percussive car alarms, all while Holmes played on. The crowd laughed in appreciation.
As the afternoon sun dipped behind the New York skyline, the fourth group of the day, lead by saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, took the stage. As great as the day’s music was to that point, it did not really prepare the listener for the intensity of Lewis and his group. The first two tunes played by Lewis’ group were built around a dense storm of saxophone playing, seeming to split the difference between Albert Ayler-like ecstasy and Coltrane density (the performance was the day after Trane’s birthday). Live, the star is Lewis’ radiant sound – the audience was hanging on every note, and on the obvious conviction and focus behind those notes. If you get the chance to see him live, go!
(James Brandon Lewis Vibe Freedom – from left to right: Kirk Knuffke, Nasheet Waits (hidden at drums), James Brandon Lewis, and Michael Bisio)
With Lewis on cornet was Kirk Knuffke (who’s also on Lewis’ terrific album from last year, Jesup Wagon). Knuffke played foil to Lewis, his lines darting and weaving against Lewis’ massive energy. On the third tune of the four tune set, Knuffke took over, playing an playful solo introduction which immediately switched the mood to a lighter whimsy. With the last tune of the set, Lewis came roaring back, along with terrific support from his group. Drummer Nasheet Waits was commanding throughout, providing all the fire and spontaneity the music needed. Bassist Michael Bisio was extraordinary, providing a melodic touch, and then switching to broad chordal playing as things built up. Basio’s bass solo near the end of the set was memorable, showing off the depth and talent of this band.
The crowd (which by the end of the afternoon had grown to maybe 40 people) stayed in rapt attention throughout, and included a number of notable musicians (Matthew Shipp was just hanging out in the audience!). The set ended to loud applause, and afterwards, the musicians hung out, breaking down the equipment and making dinner plans. I said “thank you” to some of the players, and then floated up 2nd Ave, buoyed on a great experience and thinking about an afternoon of art. What a great way to spend the afternoon!
More Arts for Art!
As I said above, the InGardens series is ongoing, with more great music this weekend (Oct 1st and 2nd) and next weekend (Oct 8th, 9th and 10th). The link to the artists and shows in the series is here. If you are near New York (and the weather permits), don’t miss the opportunity to see great musicians and hear great music. Also consider donating to Arts for Art, which does important work to support the creative music community.