ERIC HOFBAUER AND THE INFRARED BAND |
In addition to the Daniel Rosenthal and Poncho Sanchez/Terence Blanchard shows (see "Daniel Rosenthal steps out; plus, Sanchez and Blanchard do ''Chano y Dizzy'"), there are more jazz concerts over the next week or so than I haven't had space or time to write about at length. But here are just a few of the events that should be on your calendar.
KURT ELLING | November 2 | The foremost male jazz singer on the current scene (and I do mean jazz singer, and not a pop singer who does the Great American Songbook), Elling these days is working with the acclaimed Klüvers Big Band out of Denmark in preparation for a recording. We usually hear Elling in these parts with small groups, so it will be exciting to hear him apply the four-octave range of his big warm baritone in this new context along with his regular quartet. | Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St, Boston | 8 pm | $27-$47 | 800.745.200 or ticketmaster.com
ERIC HOFBAUER | November 2 | Over time, experimental guitarist Eric Hofbauer has figured out how to combine his avant-garde ideas about free improv with a hard-bopper's knack for hooky song forms. At least that's what he does with the assured crew in his Infrared Band. Hofbauer — who also runs Creative Nation Music as label boss and concert impresario — has organized two sets at Johnny D's. The first is with an impressive ad-hoc lineup of himself with pianist Pandelis Karayorgis (on Fender Rhodes), bassist Jacob William, and drummer Luther Gray. Second will be a sextet version of Hofbauer and the IRB: trumpeter Jerry Sabatini, trombonist Joel Yennior, tenor saxophonist Kelly Roberge, bassist Sean Farias, and drummer Miki Matsuki. | Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville | 8 pm | $10 | 617.776.2005 or johnnyds.com
RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA | November 3 | Mahanthappa has in the past few years bolted to the forefront of jazz saxophonists — with a monstrous tone, articulation, and flow of ideas. He's also been a tireless bandleader and composer. A Denver native, he's made several forays to the "old country" of his parents' birth to gain a deeper grasp of Indian music. His latest album, Samdhi (Act) is one of his most rewarding — a true fusion, using electric bass and guitar (Rich Brown and David Gilmore, respectively) and laptop for a sound that sometimes recalls Coltrane, sometimes Mahavishnu or Santana, but is really its own rich, broadly-colored thing, alternately fierce and lyrical. Mahanthappa brings Brown, Gilmore, and drummer Damion Reid to the Regattabar. | Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge | 7:30 pm | $20 | 617.395.7757 or regattabarjazz.com
JCA ORCHESTRA | November 4 | The Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra has been a mainstay of the Boston scene since 1985, marshalling a crew of some of the best players in town to present music by some of our best writers. Last year's A Wallflower in the Amazon (Accurate) was a standout, running the gamut from Willie Dixon blues to Duke Ellington, with Darrell Katz's arrangements and originals featuring lyrics by the poet Paula Tatarunis, delivered with pinpoint control and expressive warmth by singer Rebecca Shrimpton. Tonight's show at the YMCA Theater will include pieces by Katz, Hiro Honshuku, Bill Lowe, Bob Pilkington, Warren Senders, and Norm Zocher. | YMCA Theatre, 820 Mass Ave, Cambridge | 8 pm | $12; $8 student | 781.899.3130 or jazzcomposersalliance.org
