My new weekly column returns for its second week. I did make it to one jazzy show this week, but it didn’t garner much anything writable, so let’s move on.
Birdshack on The Mug & Brush Sessions
Recently, local jazz trio Birdshack recorded two live videos as part of the Mug & Brush Sessions, a live music series filmed at the venerable North Campus barbershop of the same name. They recorded video of their original “Give It Back” (below) as well as a heartfelt cover of “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” Thankfully, this exposure has led the band to fortify its web presence with the creation of Facebook pages for both the band and drummer Tony McClung’s musical output. The band currently has a standing weekly Sunday brunch gig at The Crest in Clintonville, and is playing at Brothers Drake on Wednesday, November 27th, so go check them out!
On The Horizon
Though there are still plenty of great jazz shows to see locally over the remainder of 2013, details are already set for some hot shows coming to town next year:
Snarky Puppy, Woodlands Tavern, January 18th. Having just wrapped up two months of European touring, the NYC by way of Texas jazz juggernaut has already announced another US tour. This weekend Woodlands gig should be considerably different than their concert at Lincoln Theatre in September, but just as fun.
Lettuce, Newport Music Hall, February 20th. This Brooklyn jazz-funk supergroup, featuring members of Soulive and other funky outfits, will stop by Columbus near the end of its winter tour. They celebrated the 20th anniversary of their formation with the 2012 release of Fly and show no signs of slowing down.
Charlie Hunter, Natalie’s, April 8th. Hunter, who plays a distinctive custom seven-string guitar, has played about every variation of jazz (and beyond) in his 20+ year career. This intimate show at Natalie’s currently marks the start of a short Midwest jaunt.
Shows To See This Week
Saturday, Nov. 23rd: Toubab Krewe at Woodlands Tavern. While not a jazz band per se, this Asheville, NC instrumental band “lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more” with a result pleasing to many a jazz ear.
Sunday, Nov. 24th: Bob Niederriter at Dick’s Den. The Kent-based guitarist returns to his local stomping grounds with a powerhouse quartet of Roger W. Hines on bass, Joe Ong on drums, and Patrick Overturf on vibes.
Tuesday, Nov. 26th: Bobby Floyd Trio at Rumba Cafe. While Tony Monaco is on break from his weekly gig, the organ jazz returns with Floyd’s trio, offering another take on the Columbus organ tradition.
Go see some jazz!