Free jazz isn’t free-it takes folks like Washington, D.C.’s Ed Ricart and Baltimore’s Bernard Lyons to pull together events such as the New Atlantis Festival, an extensive program of avant-garde acts that begins tonight and continues through Sunday in Washington and Baltimore. Among the highlights: an ultra-rare performance by saxophonist Sonny Simmons, appearances by Charles Gayle on Saturday and Sunday and sets from Joe Morris. The Baltimore venue is the Windup Space (12 W. North Ave), in the city’s Station North Arts District, and the D.C. events will take place at the Fridge (516 8 St. SE, Rear Alley), an arts space/gallery in the Eastern Market neighborhood. Full info is below:
Thursday, July 22, at the Windup Space (Baltimore)
Doors at 8 p.m./$10
Steve Swell (trombone), Susan Alcorn (pedal steel), Alan Munshower (drums), John Dierker (reeds)
Friday, July 23, at the Fridge (D.C.)
Doors at 7 p.m./$20
11:00 p.m.: Sonny Simmons
10:15: New Atlantis VItet w/ Steve Swell
9:30: Weasel Walter/Darius Jones/Tom Blancarte
8:45: Ras Moshe Trio
8:00: Hat City Intuitive
Saturday, July 24, at the Fridge (D.C.)
Doors at noon/$20
10:30 p.m.: Charles Gayle – Solo/Trio/All-Star Big Band
9:30: Joe Morris’ Wildlife Trio w/ Luther Gray + Petr Cancura
8:45: Nate Wooley
8:00: Joe Morris/Ed Ricart/Jason Ajemian/Sam Lohman
7:15: Susan Alcorn
6:45: Jay Rosen
6:15: OPEN IMPROV
5:30: Trio Caveat (James Ilgenfritz/Chris Welcome/Jonathan Moritz)
5:00: Jason Ajemian
4:15: OPEN IMPROV
3:30: New Loft
2:40: Many Arms
2:00: Wasteland Jazz Unit
1:30: Nine Violet Strings
1:00: Lost Civilizations
Sunday, July 25, at the Windup Space (Baltimore)
Doors at 3 p.m./$15
Charles Gayle: solo saxophone plus collaborations with other artists
Joe Morris’ Wildlife Trio w/ Luther Gray + Peter Cancura
Elliot Levin, John Dierker, Joe Morris & Luther Grey
Quartet Offensive
John Berndts’ Wittgensteins Relative
Trio Caveat: James Ilgenfritz/Chris Welcome/Jonathan Moritz
Plus impromptu groups and special guests…
