Craig Taborn / Tomeka Reid / Ches Smith

Three American innovators make unsuspected connections between traditional and contemporary music. Pianist Craig Taborn, cellist Tomeka Reid and drummer Ches Smith are all known as important band leaders in American improvised music. In the fall of 2018 they convened to perform Taborn’s new compositions that crossed the boundaries of contemporary chamber music, and grooves and music from Africa and the Caribbean. The music required an instrumentation that could maneuver through these rapid shifts seamlessly. Utilizing Tomeka Reid’s fluency as a cellist and improviser, Ches Smith’s versatility moving from traditional drum set to more extended percussion set-ups, and Taborn’s approaches to acoustic piano and electronic instruments, the music moves intricately crafted chamber miniatures through energetic explorations while finding its roots in true groove and melody. The group’s inspirations include Sun Ra, Mamman Sani, Don Cherry, Conlon Nancarrow, Art Ensemble of Chicago and Drexciya.