Bobby Avey: "Trancelike Rhythm"

Photo by Jonno Rattman

Bobby Avey's work as a pianist and composer has ranged from performing 19th-century lieder by Franz Schubert with Dave Liebman (Vienna Dialogues, 2006) to composing an hour-long suite based on his field research into Haitian Vodou rhythms (Authority Melts From Me). Having won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composers Competition in 2011, he has since recorded his first solo album, Be Not So Long to Speak, which was released this April, and his Haitian Revolution-inspired suite Authority Melts From Me, which features Miguel Zenón, Ben Monder, Thomson Kneeland, and Jordan Perlson, is expected to be released next April on Whirlwind Records. A performance of this suite last February at Symphony Space was favorably reviewed by The New York Times, which noted his "attraction to trancelike rhythm," linking him to other rhythmically adventurous pianists like Vijay Iyer.

This Thursday, October 3rd, he'll be joined by this same band, minus Zenón, on The Jazz Gallery stage. If you're unfamiliar with Bobby's work, take a look at this trailer for Authority Melts From Me (video by Jeremy Shantz):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnFiYFAEjjsBobby Avey performs at The Jazz Gallery this Thursday, October 3rd, with Ben Monder (guitar), Thomson Kneeland (bass), and Jordan Perlson (drums). Sets at 9 and 10:30 p.m. The first set is $15 general admission and $10 for Members. The second set is $10 general admission and $5 for Members. Purchase tickets here.

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