David S. Ware Unit
— David S. Ware Unit: (world premiere) David S. Ware (tenor sax), Mat Maneri (viola, violin), Henry Grimes (bass) and Whit Dickey (percussion)
— Seraphic Light: Celebrating John Coltrane’s 80th Birthday
— an ars nova workshop and International House Philadelphia production
— International House, 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia — 8 pm
Jan 12 (Fri)

Henry Grimes’ Spaceship on the Highway. Friday Dec. 8th. International House, Philadelphia. 8pm

Marshall Allen…
…is out there. Coming up with the Sun Ra Arkestra makes staying inside seem foreign.

Henry Grimes…
…born in Philadelphia in 1935. He had it about as good as it gets in the jazz world, recording with a more diverse crowd of bandleaders (from Benny Goodman to Thelonious Monk to Cecil Taylor) than just about any other side-man in the history of jazz. Grimes exited jazz in 1967 and lost all contact with fellow musicians until returning to the bass in 2002. He’s back with a remarble retention of his bass technique, and has sorrounded himself with one of the most eccentric duos of saxophonists in jazz.

Fred Anderson…

…had his sound transformed in swing and sound by the likes of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins in his young career. He followed jazz outside in the late 1960s. But he can still blow his mind out (see above).

Avreeayl Ra

Spaceship on the Highway This is my kinda show. The ars nova workshop has worked to convert community spaces into temporary jazz venues. The cost is a bit steep for their shows, and you can’t expect cheap red wine to be flowin’ at the International House ($5 gets you all you can tastefully drink at the gallery shows). But hey, the artists themselves warrant taking your night out.