Wed 11/4 @ 9PM
The Philadelphia-based saxophonist Jack Wright, aged 72, is one of the pioneers of improvised free jazz. He’s spent the last 35 years traveling around the U.S. and the world, collaborating with a wide range of partners and projects, always looking for something fresh to stretch his horizons. He’s currently paired up with Philadelphia improvising guitarist Zachary Darrup for a midwest tour that makes a stop at Gordon Square’s Guide to Kulchur.
“Jack is utterly one-of-a-kind,” says Tom Orange of New Ghosts, the Cleveland-based underground promotion company that is putting on the show. “Much of his playing would outrage a traditional sax instructor, but no one shows how much beauty and intrigue can be found by playing the ‘wrong way.’ Listeners with open ears and minds are going to be in for a treat.”
After the duo plays, there’ll be a second set in which Wright invites any sax players who show up to participate in what he calls “Saxophone Soup,” “not playing ‘music’ but just the sound of saxophones,” he says.
“Anyone who can play the saxophone well enough to make a sound for a half hour is welcome to join,” he explains. “Beginners would be especially good to include. It says something of the openness of free improvisation, and draws the ‘real’ musicians out of their (our) usual musical categories.”
That session will be followed by a discussion with the musicians and audience members.
Donations of $10 are encouraged.