Genre-smashing saxophonist/composer Larry Ochs leads his bold improvisational group Kihnoua Friday, March 23, night in the first of 13-weekly creative music concerts at the seventh annual "Spring Jazz Series" at New Haven's Firehouse 12.
Ochs is joined in freewheeling improvisations by Korean vocalist Dohee Lee, a performance artist and dancer who has studied traditional Korean singing; Trevor Dunn, bass; and Scott Amendola, drums and electronics. The core trio of Ochs, Amendola and Lee has played together since Kihnoua was formed in 2007, while Dunn joins the band for the first time as it makes a six-city tour this spring.
Besides welcoming Ochs back for an encore on Friday night, the spring series, which runs every Friday night through June 15, features some performers making their Firehouse 12 debuts. Among these are saxophonist Noah Kaplan and saxophonist Ellery Eskelin, as well as return engagements by other outstanding creative music artists, including Steve Lehman, Darius Jones, Mary Halvorson and Michael Musillami.
Here's the complete lineup: Larry Ochs' Kihnoua, Friday; Michael Musillami Trio + 4, March 30; Trio M, April 6; Steve Lehman Trio, April 13; Mike DiRubbo and Larry Willis, April 20; and Noah Kaplan Quartet, April 27.
Also: Darius Jones Quartet, May 4; Michael Bates' Acrobat: Music by and for Dmitri Shostakovich, May 11; Mary Halvorson Quintet, May 18; Tyler Blanton Quartet, May 25; Allison Miller BOOM TIC BOOM, June 1; Ernesto Cervini Quartet, June 8; and Ellery Eskelin Trio New York, June 15.
Each concert features individual sets at 8:30 and 10 p.m. with tickets at $18 and $12 respectively. Tickets available online at http://www.firehouse12.com and at 203-785-0468 or at the box office beginning at 7 p.m. the night of the show. A limited number of season passes, good for admission to both sets of every concert, is also available for $200. Firehouse 12 is at 45 Crown St., New Haven.
With guitar, percussion, vocals and upright bass, Too Human, the next group featured in the Hartford Public Library's admission-free "Baby Grand Jazz" series, specializes in what one enthusiastic critic has described as "breezy, jazzy toe-tapping swing, a bluesy, heartfelt ballad, or a familiar standard from the American Songbook."
Too Human entertains Sunday, March 25, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the downtown library's atrium, 500 Main St. Hartford. Information: http://www.hplct.org and 860-695-6300.
Allan Holdsworth, a guitar virtuoso whose colossal technique and iconoclastic style bridges the worlds of progressive rock and jazz or jazz/rock, performs with his band Friday, March 23, at 8 p.m. at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro, 20 Greenwoods Road, Norfolk. Holdsworth holds forth with band members Virgil Donati on drums, Jimmy Haslip on bass and special guest, the jazz/rock group, Marbin.
Tickets: $30, general; $45, mezzanine. Information: 866-666-6306.
Ed Fast and Conga Bop Latin Jazz do the musical cooking Thursday, March 22, at 8 p.m., for patrons at La Kerencya, the new, family-owned-and-operated Peruvian restaurant at 624 Franklin Ave., Hartford. Information: 860-206-3985.
Fast and his Conga Boppers play Friday, March 23, at 8 p.m. in the new Friday night live jazz series at Titanium Lounge, 412 Main St., Middletown. Information: 860-788-2419. Fast's swift band returns April 4 at 8:30 p.m. to its frequent stomping grounds at Firebox Restaurant, 539 Broad St., Hartford. Information: 860-246-1222.
The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, a most worthy but financially hard-pressed non-profit, throws a fundraiser Thursday, March 29, that it's calling "A Jazz Airport Party."
Taking off at 6:30 p.m., the fundraiser, aimed at keeping GHFJ airborne this summer, features The Liviu Pop Group at Wings Sports Bar & Grill, located in the Brainard Airport terminal building, 20 Lindbergh Drive, Hartford. Advanced tickets and information: http://www.hartfordjazz.com and 860-989-3707.
Award-winning vocalist Crystal Aikin is featured Saturday, March 24, at 7 p.m. at "Praise Gospel Fest 2012" at the Theater of the Performing Arts at the Learning Corridor, 359 Washington St., Hartford. Hosted by comedian Tracie Davis, the fest also features the group Inspire and Pastor Chris Edwards. The event is presented by Faith Congregational Church, UCC, Hartford. Tickets: $30 and up available online at http://www.crec.org/theater and 860-757-6388.
Trombonist Steve Davis and friends continue his weekly live jazz series, Tuesday, March 27, at 9 p.m. upstairs at the Russian Lady, Hartford. Davis's pals are singer Linda Ransom, pianist Warren Byrd, bassist Matt Dwonszyk and a drummer to be announced. Information: 860-247-LADY.
In another weekly jazz staple, pianist Craig Hartley is featured Monday, March 26, at 8 p.m. at the Hartford Jazz Society's long-running "Monday Night Jam" at Black-eyed Sally's, 350 Asylum St., Hartford. Information: 860-278-7427.
Also at Black-eyed Sally's, New Orleans-based organist Joe Krown leads his R&B/funk trio Thursday, March 22, at 8 p.m.. Collectively, the funkmeisters' resumes include performances with Little Richard, supreme soul saxist Maceo Parker, Lee Dorsey ("Working in a Coal Mine") and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's Gate Express touring as the support act for Eric Clapton.
Sambeleza, a sveltely swinging Brazilian jazz trio, plays Saturday, March 24, at 8 p.m. at Park Central Tavern, 1640 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Sambeleza's bosses of bossa are pianist/vocalist Isabella Mendes, a native of Sao Paulo; bassist/vocalist Jeff Fuller and guitarist Joe Carter. Information: 203-287-8887.