Saturday Night Live Music (2/06/10)

Israeli-born saxophonist Eli Degibri brings his Quartet to the Killingworth Arts Center Jazz Night Out this Saturday. The concert, set in a cafe-style environment, takes place at 7:30pm in the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton.  Degibri first came to the US in 1997 to attend Berklee School of Music in Boston and, 2 years later, was touring the world as part of pianist Herbie Hancock's "Gershwin's World" ensemble.  Over the past decade, Degibri has worked with the Mingus Big Band, bassist Ron Carter, pianist Brad Mehldau, and trumpeter Eddie Henderson (among others.) Joining him this weekend are his frequent musical partner Kevin Hays (piano), bassist Reuben Rogers and the fine young drummer Obed Calvaire.  He has issued 2 CDs as a leader for Fresh Sounds New Talent, 1 for Anzic Records and a CD as a co-leader with Kevin Hays.  His next release for Anzic will feature Ron Carter, Brad Mehldau and drummer Al Foster.

Opening the show will be the Shoreline area ensemble known as CT4 led by drummer Tom Briggs.  The percussionist/composer is the Music Director at the Community Music School and is a featured performer with the U.S. Coast Guard Band.  His musical cohorts include guitarist Kevin O'Neil (Wesleyan graduate and student of Professor Anthony Braxton), pianist Ian Frenkel and bassist Dave D'addario. For ticket information, call 860-663-5593 or go online to www.artscenterkillingworth.org.  

Pianist/composer Landon Knoblock (pictured left) comes to Middletown with his trio, Creatures with Striking Features, to play an evening of original music starting at 7:30 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street.  Rounding out the "Creatures.." are saxophonist Phil Doyle and drummer Jeff Davis.  This trio differs from other of Knoblock's projects in that the pianist plays the  Fender Rhodes electric piano (as opposed to acoustic piano) and the music ranges from free to funk to jazz to wherever the musicians want the music to go - it's all improvised. I've seen and heard Jeff Davis in a number of musical situations and he's a very thoughtful, impressive and inventive player (find out more about him by going to www.jeffdavisdrums.com.) To get a taste of the group's sound and learn more about the leader, go to

www.landonknoblock.com. To reserve a seat, call 860-347-4957.