In a renewed effort to keep readers abreast of good listning, J-B-J introduces Matt Miller, who has some recommendations for places to go, comin’ right up. Matt is a 23-year-old tenor saxophonist, graduate of the New School Jazz and Contemporary Music program, who writes for AllAboutJazz-New York and Jazz.com, besides contributing here.
Monday, May 12 Tony Malaby‘s robust tenor sax fronts a different
forward-thinking ensemble each Monday, including this week pianist drummer Tom
Rainey, bassist Eivind Opsvik and guitarist Mary Halvorson; 9 and 10:30 p.m. at
the funky-comfy Tea Lounge, 837 Union St. (between 6th and 7th
Aves.), $5 donation requested.
 Tuesday,
May 13 – Saturday May 17 Saxophonist
Pharaoh Sanders has mellowed considerably since his days as John Coltrane’s
demonic foil, but his husky tone and melodic sense have developed into
something like serenity, at the midtown Manhattan supper club Birdland, 215 W.
44th St.. 8:30 and 11 p.m.; $35 – $45 music charge.
 Wednesday, May 14 Another chance to hear Malaby and Rainey – with bassist Mark Helias, this month’s curator of the
weekly Night of the Ravished Limbs series
in the intimate back room of the hipster neighborhood tavern Barbes’, 376 9th St.,
Brooklyn, at 8 and 10 p.m., $10.
Thursday, May 15 –
Saturday, May 17 Multi-reedist composer and early member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative
Musicians Henry Threadgill explores an unusual timbral palette with his band Zooid (named
for an organic cell capable of independent movement or several cells forming a
colony) — Liberty Ellman, guitar; Stomu
Takehishi, bass guitar; Jose Davila, tuba; Elliot Humberto Kavee, drums; Dana
Leong, cello and trombone (15 and 17th only); Judith Sanchez,
movement (16th only), at the Jazz Gallery, a multi-arts cultural
center, 290 Hudson St., Manhattan, 9 and 10:30 p.m., $20 ($10 for members).