Cornelia Street Cafe Announces This Weeks Events And Shows

This Week At Cornelia Street Cafe

Mon Jan 25
8:30PM 21ST SCHIZOID MUSIC PRESENTS: DAN BERG
(Dan Berg, composer)
Originally from Philadelphia, keyboardist and composer Dan Berg entered the New York music scene only one year ago. He has studied and performed a range of genres, most specifically jazz and improvisation, but he is also well-versed in aspects of reggae and Cuban styles, as well. The music that Dan composes and performs is a fusion of these styles along with other influences, such as rock, Brazilian, funk, R&B, and classical. A key objective for his band, The Gestalt, is to straddle the line between groove and art, the familiar and the esoteric. In line with his eclectic musical tastes, Dan strives to remain open-minded about the future and whatever projects or musical paths he may encounter. Dan currently resides in Brooklyn.
Set One: The Gestalt

The Gestalt is a name that describes a concept or object greater than the sum of its parts. Although the band's music draws from many places, it is never pastiche. The repertoire consists of both originals and covers or standards that have been re-arranged to suit a more contemporary context. Among the many excellent musicians that Dan has performed with, vocalist Kristin Young has been his most consistent collaborator. Her training in opera has provided a unique timbre and grace that complements the more driving energy of the rhythm section. The group performs consistently in Brooklyn as well as Philadelphia and this will be their Manhattan debut.

Set Two: Iceberg Productions

Dan's most recent endeavor has been a foray into the realms of electronics, synthesis and computers. Though a novice, these explorations harmonize perfectly with his background in free improvisation. Dan feels he has only breached the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended), but it is already clear that this will be an ongoing project for him. His hope is that these two music worlds, Gestalt and Iceberg, will eventually come together as one. For now, he will have to remain a schizoid...
Frank J. Oteri, host. Cover $10 http://www.myspace.com/dwbkeys

Tue Jan 26
8:30PM ROB MOSHER'S STORYTIME
(Rob Mosher, soprano/oboe/english horn/compositions; Sam Sadigursky, alto/clarinet/flute/piccolo; Peter Hess, tenor/clarinet; Brian Landrus, baritone/bass clarinet; Micah Killion, trumpet; Rachel Drehmann, franch horn; Michael Fahie, trombone; Nir Felder, guitar; Garth Stevenson, bass; Ziv Ravitz, drums)
Rob Mosher's band Storytime - whose new album, The Tortoise, is a lushly scored musical odyssey that contains echoes of Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Kurt Weill, Darius Milhaud, Debussy and Bach - reflects Mosher's embrace of a wide range of influences which have coalesced to create his singularly independent compositional voice.
"strong, well crafted, highly arranged, listenable, and accessible music"
- All Music Guide
Cover $10 http://www.robmosher.com/storytime.php

Wed Jan 27
8:30PM CHRIS DINGMAN GROUP
(Ambrose Akinmusire, trumpet; Fabian Almazan, piano; Joe Sanders, bass; Eric McPherson, drums; Chris Dingman, vibraphone, compositions)
Recently named a Rising Star on vibes in the 2009 Downbeat Magazine critics poll, Chris Dingman is one of the most in-demand vibraphonists in New York. His work as a sideman on Steve Lehman's Travail, Transformation, and Flow, Ambrose Akinmusire's Prelude to Cora, and Harris Eisenstadt's Canada Day has garnered the accolades of critics, audiences, and musicians alike. While completing his graduate work at the Thelonious Monk Institute, Chris had the opportunity to perform with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Terence Blanchard and many others. Since moving to New York in 2007, Chris has quickly become a busy player on the scene, playing in groups led by Adam Rudolph, Gerald Clayton, Jen Shyu, Mark Taylor, Mike Moreno, Gabriela Anders, and many others. Now as a leader, he presents a narrative suite of spellbinding music entitled Waking Dreams. The band features a group of stellar musicians with a close rapport, combining stunning virtuosity with subtle musicality.
"Jazz vibist-of-the-moment"
- Phil DiPietro, Jazz Journalists Association
Cover $10 http://www.chrisdingman.com

Thu Jan 28
6:00PM PRIVATE PARTY

CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT

Fri Jan 29
9:00PM & 10:30PM ELEVATION
(Abraham Burton, tenor saxophone; Lucian Ban, piano; John Hébert, bass; Eric McPherson, drums)
" sound fractals, soaring tenor, eastern meets post bop piano, eMac's rhythm propensity, elevating sounds - ELEVATION - the new quartet from the Transylvanian expat pianist LUCIAN BAN and saxophonist ABRAHAM BURTON "one of the great tenors of our time". Together with long time collaborators and world class rhythm - JOHN HEBERT on bass and ERIC MCPHERSON on drums.
Lucian Ban recently collaborated with John Hebert on the unique Enesco Re-Imagined, Eric McPherson has been played with Mr. Burton for a more than 20 years, then the romanian born pianist has been playing duets and quartets with Abraham Burton from 2005 on going on to name their musical partnership elevation ... and Hebert & McPherson played with the late Andrew Hill for years appearing on his last blue note records album.
" If the young saxophonist Abraham Burton was ever to be drawn in a cartoon, he'd have flames coming out of his saxophone" - NY Times

"Ban plays with a fluency and sensibility that recalls Vladimir Horowitz as much as McCoy Tyner" - Terrell Holmes , All About Jazz NY

"Eric McPherson is at the vanguard of his generation's creative music drummers. His command of multiple percussion instruments is matched by the originality, electricity, versatility and sensitivity he adds to the continuum of the music" - WinterJazzFest

"Hebert's fractured ostinatos are a thing of wonder." - Chris May, All About Jazz For more info: www.lucianban.com www.abrahamburton.com www.johnhebert.com www.ericmcpherson.com
Cover $12

Sat Jan 30
9:00PM & 10:30PM PETE ROBBINS & SILENT Z
(Pete Robbins, alto saxophone, compositions; Jesse Neuman, cornet, electronics; Mike Gamble, guitar, electronics; Eivind Opsvik, bass, electronics; Tommy Crane, drums)
Pete Robbins's siLENT Z is "an intimate jazz-rock hybrid" (NY Times), that features "highly developed harmony, complex meter and searing improv" (Time Out New York). The music combines Robbins's signature compositions with highly compelling group improvisation.
Robbins will release a "siLENT Z - live" album, his fourth as a leader, on his own Hate Laugh Music label in May, 2010. The album contains material from two concerts recorded live at Cornelia Street in the winter of 2008-9.
Cover $10 http://www.peterobbins.com

Sun Jan 31
8:30PM NICK KADAJSKI'S 5 POINT PERSPECTIVE
(Nick Kadajski, alto saxophone; Sean Moran, guitar; Bob Lanzetti, guitar; Brad Maestas, bass; Brian Adler, drums)
Nick Kadajski's 5 Point Perspective is an energetic and ingenuitive band comprised of five voices, each having their say and driving each other to new places. The band transcends genres and the music is imbued with the colors of many other styles.
Jazz Times says of the new album Remembering Things to Come:
"...Nick Kadajski's 5 Point Perspective and their new recording Remembering Things to Come is just another indication of the healthy state of jazz music. Fantastic compositions, remarkable arrangements and incredible musicianship. Take a moment and go check out some Nick Kadajski! One word - WOW!" Br>- Jazz Times by: Bobby Vega
The latest piece entitled Simple Complexity is a five movement suite interspersing written and improvised material seamlessly. The melodies for the piece are simple and singable but are interwoven to create a larger kaleidoscopic melody.
Cover $10 http://www.nickkada.com

Mon Feb 01
8:30PM AMRAM & CO
(David Amram, piano, french horn, flutes, composition & surprises; Kevin Twigg, drums, glockenspiel; John de Witt, bass; Adam Amram, percussion; John Ventimiglia, actor)
This series explores in his highly personable, generous and informal style the astonishing variety of David Amram's interests and accomplishments--renowned composer of symphonic classical music, jazz compositions, improvisation, spoken word, scat, he sits at the piano, schmoozes about music, about the greats, the beats, the obscure, the legendary; plays the French horn, pulls out all kinds of instruments (flutes, drums, horns) gathered from his many circumnavigations of the globe, pulls in guests drawn from just about every artistic walk of life.
Cover $10 http://www.davidamram.com

Spoken Word

 

Mon Jan 25
6:00PM POETRY & PROSE
(Jim Story; Hila Ratzabi; Eileen Hennessey)
One story writer, two poets, the sort of evening we love.
A onetime Okie blues singer and a former Russian history professor, Jim Story is the author of the novel, Wounded by History, the short story collection, Love and Other Terminal Diseases, and is currently at work on a picaresque novel called Problems of Translation. One story has been selected for an anthology edited by Paul McComas called Proving Grounds, scheduled for publication in 2010.
Angelo Verga, host. Cover $7

Tue Jan 26
6:00PM GRADUATE POETS SERIES
(Emily Brandt, (NYU); Danniel Schoonebeek, (Sarah Lawrence College); John James, (Columbia Univ); Elizabeth Gross, (Hunter College))

Autumn Giles & Martin Rock, host. Cover $7
Wed Jan 27
6:00PM PERFECT SENSE
(Marie Ponsot; J. Mae Barizo; Claudia Cortese; Nick Thran)
Alissa Heyman & Hila Ratzabi, co-host. Cover $7

Fri Jan 29
6:00PM SON OF PONY
(Geoff Kagan Trenchard, featured poet)
A fifth Friday this month? No problem. We celebrate with the legendary poetry open mic Pony with its still kickass original host, Jackie herself.
Geoff Kagan Trenchard has performed poetry on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, at universities throughout the United States and in numerous detention facilities. As a mentor for Urban Word NYC, he taught weekly poetry workshops in the foster care center at Bellevue. He has also taught creative writing workshops in Rikers Island with Columbia University's "Lyrics on Lockdown" Program. The National Poetry Slam Anthology, Kitchen Sink Magazine, Word Riot, The Worcester Review, November 3rd and 12th Street have published his poems and essays. He is a recipient of a fellowship from the Riggio Writing and Democracy program at the New School and the first ever louderARTS Writing Fellowship. As a member of the performance poetry troupe The Suicide Kings, he has toured internationally with their hip-hop theater piece "In Spite of Everything". He currently works as a guidance counselor at an alternative high school in Brooklyn.
Jackie Sheeler, host. Cover $7

Sat Jan 30
6:00PM JEAN DANY JOACHIM PRESENTS SIX POETS OF NOTE
Melissa Christine Goodrum moved to NYC to gain an M.F.A. in poetry from Brooklyn College. Her work can be found in The New York Quarterly, The Torch, The Tiny, Rhapsoidia, Can We Have Our Ball Back?, Transmission, Bowery Women: Poems, and A Harpy Flies Down by Other Rooms Press. She wears many, many masks-poet, translator, scholar, editor, photographer, and writing teacher in the New York City Public School system.
Obed Jean Louis lives in New York City. He has won the hearts and interest of audiences throughout his young career as a classical guitarist and vocalist. Music has been a blanket and pillow throughout my travels; without it I would not be able to rest comfortably" says Obed. "His words invoke thoughts, his arrangements are compelling, his voice calms your worries and his spirit brings hope to a world of chaos." Malachi Rivers.

Michèle Voltaire Marcelin is a Haitian actress, painter, and writer who currently teaches in New York. She writes in three languages and her first novel, La Désenchantée, was published in 2006. She has performed extensively on stage and screen, and has presented her poetry in front of audiences at a wide array of clubs and universities. Her paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and Haiti. Other published works of poetry and prose: Lost and Found , Amours et Bagatelles, and La Desencantada.

Chris Brandt is a writer and activist. Also a translator, carpenter, furniture designer, and theatre worker. He teaches poetry at Fordham University. He is proud to have been found guilty on May 29, 2008, of exercising free speech (sic) at the U.S. Supreme Court, and sentenced to ten days (suspended) and a year's probation. His poems and essays have been published in magazines, journals, and anthologies, including Off the Cuffs: Poetry by and About the Police (Soft Skull, edited by Jackie Sheeler); Lateral (Barcelona); El signo del gorrion (Valladolid); La Jornada (Mexico); Phatitude, Appearances; The Unbearables; National Poetry Magazine of the Lower East Side; Liqueur 44 (Paris) and Crimes of the Beats. His translations of Cuban fiction have been published in The New Yorker and many other places.

Jeanie Bogart is journalist, poet and fashion designer. She is presently, a staff writer and editor at two magazines: Connecticut Haitian Voice and CSMS Magazine. She was in 2006 the winner of her first international poetry contest in the creole language held by Kalbas Lò Lakarayib. She is the author of "Lettres d'Automne/Tanlapli" a CD released in Montreal by Éditions Paroles. In 2008 she published her first poetry book Un Jour... tes pantouffles with the Éditions Paroles. She published in November 2009 "Dènye Rèl", an album (CD) of Haitian Creole poetry. She is currently working on her first novel. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies.

Thomas C. Spear is Professor of French at Lehman College and the Graduate Center of CUNY. His publications include a collection of short texts by 40 Haitian authors, Une journée haïtienne (Mémoire d'encrier/Présence Africaine, 2007), and La culture française vue d'ici et d'ailleurs, treize auteurs témoignent (Karthala, 2002), first-person essays about a love-hate relationship with France and French culture. His translations and co-translations include Leslie Kaplan's Brooklyn Bridge and Edouard Glissant's Faulkner, Mississippi.

Jean Dany Joachim, host. Cover $7

CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ
29 Cornelia Street, NYC, New York 212-989-9319
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com
between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village
1 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, V, F to West 4th St.