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Tag: Thelonious Monk

Ancient Traditions Are The Either/Orchestra’s Home Territory

Published 7 April, 2026 By John Chacona
photocredit: Eric Antoniou

When saxophonist Russ Gershon put his Either/Orchestra together 40 years ago, he had a concept in mind. “I wanted the band to feel like a territory band, or like a working band of the past,” Gershon said on a video call. The 11-piece band fully realized Gershon’s conception though he couldn’t have imagined that the band’s territory would one day include Ethiopia.

Today the Either/Orchestra is recognized globally for its advocacy of Ethiopian music, a project that has led to appearances at two of the nation’s most prestigious music festivals, and this weekend, to Cleveland for a pair of free concerts, Friday at Trinity Cathedral and Saturday at BOP STOP.

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Unclassifiable Affections Drive Drummer Dan Weiss’ Quartet

Published 10 June, 2025 By John Chacona
Dan Weiss Quartet

Dan Weiss is a no-compromises guy. He doesn’t jog occasionally for his health; he trains hard and races. He turned an interest in South Asian music into a decades-long immersion with tabla master Samir Chatterjee. When I suggested to the drummer last week that he struck me as slightly obsessive, his response was unequivocal: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. Totally!”

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Paul Giallorenzo’s Trio Serves A Fusion Menu at BOP STOP

Published 23 April, 2025 By John Chacona
(from left): Paul Giallorenzo, Mikel Patrick Avery, Jason Roebke

In the band photo on the tray card of Force Majeure, (Delmark Records, 2014) a CD by Paul Giallorenzo‘s GitGo band, the leader stands front and center wearing a t-shirt bearing the image of the Great Lakes. After 30 years in Chicago, does the Long Island native consider himself a Midwest musician?

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Countdown: Where To Go & What To Hear In NEO April 11-17

Published 11 April, 2024 By John Chacona
The Jazz-Bins, (from left) Joe Dyson, Marc Ribot, Greg Lewis

Friendly experiencers,

Monday’s Great Celestial Gig In The Sky is going to be hard to top. On the other hand, NEO jazz fans don’t have to wait 200 years for next big show to arrive, April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and there’s much to appreciate in the area’s clubs, concert halls and other venues. Here are four such shows, all filled with blindingly original and exciting players. File your taxes, mow the lawn and reward yourself with the best music Northeast Ohio has to offer.

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The Canadian Jazz Collective Make A Case for Toronto Jazz at BOP STOP

Published 19 March, 2024 By John Chacona
Canadian Jazz Collective

It should probably come as no surprise that the wonderfully diverse, world-class city of Toronto is home to a vibrant jazz scene. Just don’t expect to hear about it from a Canadian.

Though chest-pounding exhibitionism is anathema to the unfailingly polite, deferential Canadian character, a group of Toronto’s best will arrive in town this weekend with proof of concept. They call themselves the Canadian Jazz Collective, and though the name implies a certain one-for-all modesty, these six musicians could easily be called the Canadian All-Stars.

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