Thu 5/2 @ 8PM
Jazz sax player Gebhard Ullman and trombonist Steve Swell are not from Chicago, but they call their latest ensemble the Chicago Plan. In fact, Berlin-based Ullman and New Yorker Swell, who have collaborated for a decade, tapped two improvising musicians from Chicago for this avant-garde project: percussionist Michael Zerang and Fred Longborg-Holm on cello and electronics. They bring together a wealth of musical ideas from three cities with vibrant cutting-edge jazz scenes.
Both Ullman and Swell have impressive resumes. Swell has recorded more than 40 CDs as a band leader or co-leader, has played on more than 100 other albums, and worked with such artists as Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich. Ullman has received international accolades for his work including six CDs that made Downbeats list of best CDs of the year. Longberg-Holm and Zerang have also worked with multiple projects for many years, and Zerang has worked in experimental and puppet theater in addition to music.
They’ll be performing at Nighttown; tickets are $20.