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Melissa St. Pierre
Sun., Nov. 8, 2 p.m.
773-769-1069Experimental
At some time or other, plenty of modern composers, from John Cage to Christian Wolff, have used prepared piano—that is, piano with various objects laid upon or wedged between the strings and dampers to modify the sound, which is sometimes created by playing the keys and sometimes by striking or plucking strings or other parts. But twentysomething Pittsburgher Melissa St. Pierre has made prepared piano her calling card. Her approach is heavily percussive and obviously meticulous: there's nothing vaguely aleatoric or improvised-sounding on her power-packed debut, Specimens (Table of the Elements/Radium, 2008). She weaves the alien clangs and clanks of her manipulations into propulsive, minimalistic, musical vignettes, with an assist from members of Milwaukee's Collections of Colonies of Bees, who add some electronic skitters and conventional percussion; the results suggest a hyperactive junkyard gamelan. St. Pierre performs solo here, as part of the inaugural weekend of the five-week-long Outer Ear Festival of Sound. After the show she'll conduct a prepared-piano workshop from 4 to 6 PM; tuition is $30, $25 for students and ESS members. Melissa St. Pierre also plays Monday with Technical Drawings at Links Hall. —Peter Margasak
$10 suggested donationTopology, Akira Sakata and Chikamorachi, Head With Wings
Sun., Nov. 8, 9 p.m. 773-935-2118Jazz
Topology, Joe McPhee noted in his liner notes to his 1981 album of that name, is a form of mathematics that "deals with all conceivable forms, abstract and multidimensional as well as those that can be drawn." That description also pretty much nails the Poughkeepsie-based multi-instrumentalist's extraordinarily inclusive music. His recent playing in totally improvised settings encompasses the full range of conventional and nonconventional technique on a myriad of reed and brass instruments and resonates sympathetically with such disparate accompaniments as the muffled traffic heard through the bar's door on the upcoming live solo LP Alto (Roaratorio) and the engulfing cacophony of nearly a dozen other impassioned improvisers with Peter Brötzmann's Chicago Tentet. But on the records he made during the 70s and 80s for the Swiss Hat Hut labels, he found ways to play just as freely while deeply engaging specific elements of jazz's roots and branches; lusty blues on "Knox," Ayler-esque gospel on "Astral Spirits," and Miles Davis's baleful funk on "Future Retrospective." Those are among the ten tunes that Ken Vandermark has arranged for Topology, a group he's convened to play that Hat Hut-era material; it includes Jeb Bishop, Tim Daisy, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Jason Adasiewicz, Josh Berman, Dave Rempis, Ken Kessler, and featured soloist Joe McPhee on pocket trumpet and fluegelhorn. McPhee also plays in a duo with local cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm on Monday at the U. of C.'s Bond Chapel. —Bill Meyer
When Japanese reedist Akira Sakata came to the world's attention in the early 70s as a member of the explosive free-jazz trio led by pianist Yosuke Yamashita, his driving, manic energy and exploratory upper-register squalls were hallmarks of his searing improvisational style. By the early 80s, though, after striking out on his own, he'd either lost his way or was hell-bent on trying something radically different—singing Japanese folk songs, making pop-leaning records, getting mixed up with electric bassist and producer Bill Laswell. But happily, in the past half-decade or so Sakata has rediscovered his focus and killer sound. I don't know if former Chicagoan Jim O'Rourke is responsible for this shift, but he's been playing with and producing records for Sakata, enlisting two American colleagues—drummer Chris Corsano and bassist Darin Gray—as his working band, Chikamorachi. On Friendly Pants (Family Vineyard), the first Sakata recording released stateside in decades, the reedist unleashes plenty of sinus-clearing torrents, but his playing also reveals a refreshing compositional logic and lyrical tenderness. O'Rourke stays behind the board, spotlighting what an effective, empathetic trio Chikamorachi has become. This show is part of the Umbrella Music Festival. Sakata also plays at the Hideout on Saturday, where he's joined by bassist Nate McBride, guitarist Jeff Parker, and drummer John Herndon—essentially Ken Vandermark's Powerhouse Sound without Vandermark. —Peter Margasak
$15 suggested donationaardvark presents: JUCIFER and SOUL POWER TRIO
Sun., Nov. 8, 9 p.m. 773-276-1411Rock, Pop, Etc
Amber Valentine of JUCIFER has redefined the role of the "frontman" in rock. Touring constantly since 2001, she is notorious for her overwhelmingly intense live show, courtesy of her voice, guitar, and 6000 watts of amplification. That's right, six THOUSAND watts. JUCIFER comes to Chicago this weekend for a show with SOUL POWER TRIO, the all-star group based here in the city. The trio's rock credentials are undeniable: lead guitarist Karl E. H. Seigfried has been heard on recordings with members of Hawkwind, Gong, Psychic TV, and Soft Machine; bassist Aaron Getsug plays with Hi-Fi and the Roadburners; drummer Chris Avgerin is a member of Reader favorites Blood of the Tyrant. Throwbacks to an earlier mode of live rock performance, their completely improvised shows answer the question of what it would have sounded like if Jimi Hendrix had been a member of Black Sabbath. Highly recommended.
A Moment of Joy
Sun., Nov. 8, 3 p.m.Classical
Susan Mohini Kane, a classically trained soprana, will be singing arias and art songs from her newly released CD. Known as an inerpreter of vocal chamber music, art song, and opera, Kane has been praised for her "crystal-clear voice and impeccable technique" as well as the way she makes the music come alive with warmth and unexpected nuances of sound. The concert is a benefit for the Lisa Fittko Internship of the Crossroads Fund. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $15. For more information, call vreni Naess at 773-324-1507 or e-mail to vnaess@earthlink.net.
BAC Street Journal
Sun., Nov. 8, 2-5 p.m. 773-445-3838Literary Events
Launch event for the fall issue of the literary arts magazine, with readings by contributors and a used-book sale.
Binary Marketing Show, Crooks and Children, Swim Ignorant Fire
Sun., Nov. 8, 8 p.m. 773-276-3600 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Sun., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. 847-467-4000Classical
(Bach, Hertel, Vivaldi, Telemann).
Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Sun., Nov. 8, 3 p.m. 312-655-1234Classical
Russ Vinick, conductor
38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, Illinois
Program: Fairy Tales
Hansel and Gretel: Overture - Humperdinck
Concerto No. 1 for Horn - Strauss, Katherin Lucena, soloist
Scheherazade - Rimsky-Korsakov
$15 Adult
$10 Seniors and Students
Cochise Soulstar, Innervisionists, Daemon Familiar, B Vax
Sun., Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m. 773-281-4444 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
DOJO v TWITCH w ONTOLOGIST
Sun., Nov. 8, 10 p.m. 773-276-7036Experimental
It's time once again for your favorite Eclectica/Experimental/Hallucinatory evening of the month!
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8th (and every 2nd Sunday of the month)
at 10 PM
at RODAN (1530 w Milwaukee, near 6-corners Wicker Park)
music of DOJO, TWITCH, and ONTOLOGIST
with eyeball bending visuals
and a late night kitchen!
ALL FREE!
"Dream A Little Dream" Fashion Show
Sun., Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. 800-621-5359Other Stuff
The 15th annual fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago will be emceed by Robin Robinson and Jeff Goldblatt of Fox Chicago news and features a raffle with prizes including Bears tickets and trips to Las Vegas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Tickets include complimentary mimosas, luncheon, and a pendant donated by Swarovski. Proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. $75
