Live Music in Hartford and New Haven January 2012

Cornetist (and "foodie") Stephen Haynes along with guitarist/bassist Joe Morris, is presenting a series at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor Street in Hartford, called "Improvisations." The 4th installment is Thursday January 12 and features the duo with special guest Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon) and Michael Evans (drums, percussion). Ms. Schoenbeck is a member of several different ensembles ranging from Anthony Braxton's 12 (+1)tet to Wadada Leo Smith's Silver Orchestra to Wayne Horvitz's Gravitas Quartet.  She's also performed with the Mancini Orchestra and recorded in a trio setting with Morris and Taylor Ho Bynum.  Evans has worked with numerous creative musicians and ensembles including Evan Parker, bassist William Parker, EasSide Percussion and Psychotic Quartet.

The program starts at 7 p.m.  For more information, call 860-232-1006 or go to www.realartways.org.  For a look into the world and work of Stephen Haynes, go to stephenhaynes.blogspot.com/.  To learn more about all the many facets of Joe Morris's music, go to www.joe-morris.com/.

The Uncertainty Music Series, the New Haven-based creative music series curated by composer/bassist Carl Testa, presents Ca Caw in concert Saturday January 14 at 8 p.m. in Never Ending Books, 810 State Street in the Elm City.  Ca Caw (pictured left)is a trio composed of Landon Knoblock (keyboards, synthesizer), Jeff Davis (drums) and Oscar Noriega (alto saxophone) - for the New Haven gig, Loren Stillman replaces Noriega. The group makes music that blends fiery improvisations with sonic explorations that move in many directions.  For more information about the band, go to www.landonknoblock.com/ca-caw.  For ticket information and directions, go to uncertaintymusic.com.

Next Wednesday (January 18), the Uncertainty Music Series presents the duo Pygmy Jerboa and cellist Nathan Bontrager in concert at 9 p.m. in Elm Bar, 372 Elm Street in New Haven. Pygmy Jerboa, featuring Iván Naranjo (electronics) and Maria Stankova (electronics, voice), creates music they describe as "free and rule-based improvisation."  You can a sense of their experimental sounds by going to www.pygmyjerboa.info.  Bontrager, based in New Haven, is a member of Dr. Caterwauls Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps, a quartet that plays a fascinating blend of musics from all over the world.  He, also, performs with the "early music" trio Entwyned.  To learn more about the creative cellist, go to nathanbontrager.com.