Fri 11/9 @ 8PM
The Chicago-based Joe Policastro Trio, which includes Policastro on bass, Dave Miller on guitar and Mikel Avery on drums, stretch the definition of “jazz.” Their music brings together elements of rock, funk, soul, pop and Brazilian music, keeping it open to let in opportunities for free improvisation.
Their third album, Screen Sounds, released last year, toys with movie and TV music such as The Godfather theme, the Twin Peaks theme, “Everybody’s Talkin’” from Midnight Cowboy, and even “Having an Average Weekend” from Kids in the Hall, taking familiar tunes into some bracingly unfamiliar territory. Their previous two albums applied their distinctive approach to music from West Side Story and pop tunes such as the BeeGees’ “More Than a Woman,” Pink Floyd’s “Us and Them,” the Pixies’ “Wave of Mutilation” and Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs Jones.” Diverse taste indeed!
They’re also working on an upcoming album of original music, so perhaps they’ll also perform a sampling of that when they come to northeast Ohio to perform at Akron’s Blu Jazz+. Admission is $15.
blujazzakron.com/show/joe-policastro-trio
Akron, OH 44308