This Polish-American duo collaboration can be described as serendipitous to say the least. Saxophonist Mikolaj Traska and US-born trombonist Steve Swell first worked together while participating in Ken Vandermark’s ensemble in Krakow, Poland in 2007, and have since played as a duo both in the US and Europe over the years.
Their take on jazz isn’t for everyone, though. Experimental jazz can both amaze and confuse listeners, and this is true for the kind of sound developed by Traska and Swell. However, fans of the genre (there are various clips available on YouTube) will marvel at their capacity to seemingly extract sounds out of thin air and keep it interesting throughout the performance. A confessed fan of Ornette Coleman (whose skills inspired him to pick up the saxophone in the first place), Traska is also a gifted composer with vast recorded works in his native country—some of which he will be sharing during this rare US tour with his New York-based musical partner. (Ernest Barteldes)
October 13 at Velvet Lounge, 67 East Cermak, (312)791-9050. $10.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
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