Event

Trio of Trios

Much of the jazz tradition is built on well defined instrumental roles - bass and drum in the rhythm section, horns playing melodic solos and harmonic supporting material. But just as quickly as these norms were established, musicians have been breaking these boundaries to redefine the own sonic territory. This evening, three trios of jazz-capable musicians suspend these questions for another day.

Italians musicians Fabrizio Spera (percussion) and Alberto Braida (piano) will be joined by American saxophonist Jack Wright. Forged through a globe trotting story becoming more common in improvised music, the trio came together after Spera, who had met Wright at the Irtijal Festival in Beirut Lebanon, suggested that a regular partner of his, pianist Braida, would be a superb choice for a trio. The group first came together in the village of Montepulciano, Italy in November 2006 and was followed by an Italian tour. Fabrizio and Alberto have toured several times in the US, supported by the Italian Institute in 2006 in San Francisco, and in 2008 in New York. Fabrizio has come several times with his trio Ossatura, most recently in 2007, and also performed in May 2008 at the Vision Festival in NY. He also toured with Jack Wright in San Francisco and in trio with Gust Burns in Seattle and Portland Or in spring 2008.

Opening the evening are two trios made up Philadelphia musicians. Though drawn from a pull of frequent collaborators, these groupings constitute new experiments in personnel. Shot x Shot bassists Matt Engle is joined by percussionist Michael Szekely and pianist Matt Mitchell. Rounding out the night, West Philadelphia Orchestra trombonist Larry Toft and trumpeter Dawn Webster will be joined by baritone saxiphonist David Fishkin.