Friday, March 13, 2020

A Chorus With No Name

On Sunday, I had tickets to the final show of experimental music for the Women From Space festival. But I wanted more structured music tonight so I went to an early show at The Burdock instead. It was sold-out and there was definitely a buzz in the audience.

Opener Tyler Emond started with a more avant-garde composition on his upright bass. But for the rest of his set, joined by percussionist Matias Recharte on doumbek (hand drum) and tambourine, it was a mix of jazz, blues, and Middle-eastern influences. Recharte demonstrated some South Asian drumming as well. Emond admitted that it was odd to name instrumental numbers. He usually based it on whatever was in his environment during the composition. So we got the groaner Hof and Gas (Wim Hof). The genesis of Phantoms was more straightforward; it was inspired by the soundtrack from the movie Phantom Thread, composed by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.

I haven't seen Ozere in 3 years. Tonight they were releasing their new album and has also been renamed to Jessica Deutsch and Ozere. This band was also influenced by different traditions. It was a more cohesive fusion whereas previously each song would highlight a particular sound. They played the entire album with Emond (electric guitar) and Recharte joining them for a few numbers. Overall, this set was interesting, complex, and enjoyable.

I liked the unusual sound of violin and cello improvisations. But generally, like many jazz shows, I thought there were too many solos: 3 on every number felt repetitive by the end. The few songs that had words were beautiful, not only lyrically but because Deutsch and cellist Lydia Munchinsky had good voices. Bones of the Clouds (lyrics by Deutsch's roommate Michelle Willis), Wyoming (with poetry from Eliza Deutsch), and an encore cover of Wayfaring Stranger were highlights for me.

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