Conspire early to rake in the riches of Angel City Jazz Fest's final weekend.
Fri. Nov. 4 at Thayer Hall, downtown
Myra Melford's Fire & Water Quintet. A highlight of previous AC Fests, Melford brings her passionate abstractionist piano back in a simpatico tribute to artist Cy Twombly, whose thready expressions make a special connection with Quintet member Mary Halvorson's evaporative guitar, which has proved essential to Thumbscrew (with Michael Formanek and Tomas Fujiwara) and an intuitive duo with Anthony Braxton.
Nicole McCabe Septet. Young McCabe plays alto sax with such melodic ease and transparent tone that she transmits her own joy like a handful of aces. Her first album had a semitraditional flavor, exposing her as one of the few who can naturally slide Charlie Parker's language into every corner of modern jazz; her new "Orbit" is an exuberant slice of electro-backed funk, just danceable fun. Now, thanks to a grant from L.A. Jazz Society, she's composed "The Women Who Shaped Me," and she'll be performing it with a handpicked ensemble that includes the brilliant trombonist-arranger Jon Hatamiya.
Sat. Nov. 5 at 2220 Arts + Archives, near Beverly & Alvarado
Zoh Amba Quartet. With her broad vibrato, gospely melodies and squealing accents, Amba (pictured) brings more Albert Ayler to the tenor saxophone than anyone since . . .? Her work with New York's preeminent avant bassist, William Parker, has prepared Amba to team up in tonight's quartet with the extraordinary SoCal uprightman Mark Dresser. Strap in for the spirit ride.
Devin Daniels Quartet. Young local alto man Daniels has a distinctive dark tone, a flood of gripping ideas and a manly way of catching that overblown note right on the edge and controlling it. His new "Trio Exposition" sticks all his strengths in the spotlight, but here he's chosen to share it with the piano of South L.A. phenom Jamael Dean, which is never a bad idea.
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Tix and more info here.