What is the Point?
Hmmmm. Maybe that what we don't have in common is OK?
Music and art in its various forms can help us figure out how to see and appreciate the differences between us and fight against the strife that gets created as a result. I love nights that remind me of this, and this week once again offered them up wonderfully.
The Pointless Forest Band: Eric Burns, narrator and guitar; Matt Robbins on vocals and piano; Caleb Curtis on trumpet; Caroline Davis on alto Sax; Lynn Ligammari on tenor sax; Dan Stein on bass; Peter Manheim on drums.
When I listed Caleb Wheeler Curtis’s show at The Owl Parlor in last week’s calendar for Valentine’s Day, I failed to understand the flyer clearly. When I arrived, the pointy-hatted boy and dog images I’d mainly ignored became more obvious: after Caleb’s always-soulful and gripping trio (with Sean Conly on bass and drummer Michael Sarin), the screen came down behind the stage for Eric Burns’ annual showing of Harry Nilsson’s classic animated movie The Point, its soundtrack performed live by Eric (in a pointed hat) and The Pointless Forest Band.
It was a joyful quirky surprise to see this performance by Eric, who also plays in Marked For Death among other bands, especially for my husband who had seen the 1971 movie featuring Ringo Starr as Oblio the round-headed kid in The Land of Point as a kid and laughed happily throughout. I can’t remember the film if I did see it, but it struck me now as an adult as particularly poignant. Silliness aside, Eric’s voiceover and the rest of the top-notch musicians made its “point” over and over again about how societies often try to banish The Other. Ugh. And how violently they try. The news, if you pay attention, which I try not to, is full of examples.
The one-two punch of Caleb’s beseeching saxophone and the sing-songy but metaphorical seriousness of The Point made for a lovely “love” celebration. The warmth and relaxed vibe of the crowd and atmosphere was added to by The Owl’s owner Oren Bloedow’s clear appreciation of the event and his valiant efforts to turn on the projector. It is a true homespun local joint, and this occasion certainly highlighted it at its best.
On Saturday, I preceded my highly anticipated night with Senegalese drummer Magatte Fall by seeing One Love, the new biopic about reggae Rastafari legend Bob Marley. While the movie was a bit disappointing—still trying to exactly figure why—I learned a number of things about Mr. Marley, including how much he put his life in jeopardy to play out his musical message of peace in Jamaica. I have visited this beautiful country, have experienced the incredible tranquility of its nature and people while hearing tale of when it has been otherwise, and can be still (like most spots in the world). I sadly did not visit the Marley Museum in Kingston, or see any reggae, but it’s on my list. Marley died at only 36, but not before making an indelible mark on his country and the world with his deep belief in the power of music to make change.
I came into Joe’s Pub feeling already slightly Other, as the movie crowd was mostly black, and the film itself featured dialogue in a Jamaican patois that made it very hard for me to understand. Again I was one of only a handful of white audience members as people settled in to listen to this Senegalese group. I sat right up next to the stage in front of Magatte’s beautiful giant djembe, excited and also slightly…is crestfallen the word?
As the beautiful haunting balafone player began, and the singers started to sing, my dream of going to Africa to learn drumming faded slightly, or at least to take on a different more realistic tone. Of course, this African music culture was not my culture, never would be, it is just one that I have come to value immensely for its intensity and emotionality and the way it has historically worked to connect people in community.
I realized as I watched Magatte’s hands work magic on the pulled-tight skin, as he played in close rhythm and in playful tandem with his bandmates, something he learned to do as a child, that I can really only at best be an observer of this beautiful tradition. While I can and do play my drums, and want to do more of it, there is something striking about the understanding of the vastly different cultures we all come from, and how those differences need to be respected, appreciated and allowed for. It takes learning to understand each other’s uniqueness and also our collective humanity as world citizens, and part of that learning by necessity demands sometimes feeling like the Other oneself.
Maybe that is the point, that we attempt not to stand in another person’s shoes, but to stand next to them in our own, and find the beauty of theirs and ours. I am trying in my way, though, to figure how Americans might benefit from the connectedness of African drumming, so…stay tuned!
This week was a thought-provoking one, thanks again to the beautiful musicians and music who helped to make it so! Now on to what’s up for next week…
monday, february 19
Simon Moullier, Rick Rosato & Kayvon Gordon
Mezzrow
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9 PM
French native and vibraphonist Simon Moullier is someone who has hit my radar recently as a must-see virtuouso. The vibes always thrills, and this night at cozy Mezzrow sounds particularly fabulous as he’s playing with soulful Canadian bassist Rick Rosato and Detroit native drummer Kayvon Gordon, (whom I’ve seen with Ravi Coltrane and enjoyed immensely.) This’ll be a great one.
tuesday, february 20
Bastards of Fine Arts
11th St. Bar
8:30 PM
These guys - Matt Keating and Steve Mayone, aka The Bastards - I’ve written before are some of my fave folks and musicians. Truly fun, funny and oft serious songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, they are a joy to watch, and 11th St. Bar—their spot—is a great East Village hangout, mellow and chill (until we get rowdy whooping it up for the great music!) Playing with a full band including Tom Curiano on drums and Tony Scherr on bass. Singer/songwriter Jamie Block plays an opening set. Fun night. Looking forward!
&
Khondzi & Dana Herz
Nublu
7 PM
Georgian saxophonist and composer Giorgi Bershvill joins Israeli singer Dana Herz at Nublu for a stellarly unique evening of exploring melody. Having heard the two recently along with Israeli guitarist Tal Mashiach (Dana’s significant other), I can only guess at the creative layered range that will come from this sparkling international duo.
wednesday, february 21
Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock’s ‘Lilith’
The Jazz Gallery
Sets at 7:30 PM + 9:30 PM
Experimental saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock applies her exploratory composer’s mind and interest in creating “multi-layered…and often evocative sound worlds” to the story of Lilith, a biblical character said to be Adam's first wife, who, unlike Eve, was formed at the same time and out of the same clay as Adam. This musical evening, featuring Laubrock on sax, Dave Adewumi on trumpet, Adam Matlock on accordion/vocals, Yvonne Rogers on piano, Eva Lawitts on double bass/vocals and Henry Mermer on drums plays to the mythical suggestion of Lilith as a feared and powerful woman, not at all subservient. (YES!!) Should be interesting and very inspirational for women and men too!!
thursday, february 22
Ethiopian Singer Gili Yalo
Bar LunAtico
9 PM + 11:30 PM
The description of Gili Yalo and his band (Ran Livneh on bass, Marco Bolfelli on guitar, Sean Smith on trumpet/keys and Joseph Yount on drums) makes me tingle: “Ethiopian roots with Soul, Funk, Psychedelic and Jazz…” Yes, and yes, at least for me. The Ethiopian singer’s harrowing stories of fleeing his country are said to be sung through his beautiful lyrics, in both English and his native Amharic.
friday, february 23
Synthesizer/Electronic Musician David Virelles
Jazz Gallery
7:30 PM + 9 PM
Back to the Jazz Gallery, this time for a supposedly “trance-like'“ meditative electronic solo set with Cuban pianist David Virelles. Hmmm. Fascinating. I know David from his beautiful jazz piano, especially seeing him play with Ravi Coltrane and others. I was fascinated to hear about this original new music that “bridges ancient traditions and futuristic landscapes” via drum machines, sampled percussion and the UDO Super Six Synthesizers (never heard of them, but sounds super cool!) He will open with a DJ set featuring everything from pre-1959 Cuban music to experimental improv. Sounds fantastic!! Go!!
saturday, february 24
Apres-Ski with Yamba Quartet & DJ Savage
Hunter Mountain, Hunter, NY
12 PM
If you happen to be skiing at Hunter Mountain or in the surrounding area, join up for an apres-ski event on the mountain with a quartet version of the awesome Afro-punk Super Yamba band along with rockin’ DJ Savage. Put on by promoter Stereogum.
AND, in NYC…
Trance & Dance w/Samir LanGus & Omar Aena
Nublu
7 PM - 10 PM
These gentlemen that I wrote about last week, Samir LanGus and Omar Aena, who will be taking a group to Morocco later this year (go to lilatheseries if you haven’t signed up yet…) will be performing together this Saturday at Nublu. Dubbed “Ecstatic Music” it is just that. Try it out. The new Nublu (as I will forever call it, in homage to the old Nublu I miss) is a perfect venue for the pair’s modern twist on North African/Middle Eastern music.
sunday, february 25
Exploring Greenwich Village's Music History:
From Dylan to Springsteen
Adventure Club Meet-Up
11 W. 4th Street, 4th and Mercer Street (Northeast Corner)
11 AM - 1 PM
This Adventure Club tour, led by licensed New York City Tour Guide and music lover Ann McDermott, features the many spots around Greenwich Village that figured into the lives and careers of musicians including Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen who came up in the 1960s and ‘70s. McDermott personally experienced this creative period in The Village's history so has a lot of fun facts and anecdotes as you walk around this famed nabe with her.
I am humbled by the amount of great music in this city, more so every time I put together this newsletter, which represents a mere handful of the musicians and venues you can find on any given night. PLEASE go out, even when it’s cold, and find inspiration with these talented peeps. Look forward to seeing you!!!
I hope you had a chance to listen to the introductory podcast I put out this week. I will be releasing the next one, featuring flautist, composer, choreographer and dancer extraordinaire Annie Nikunen next week. Stay tuned!!
XX
Steph