Friday, May 24, 2024

Jessica Pavone String Trio w/ Dave Scanlon 5/20/24 Neverending Books

 Nice listing for the book store that is dirty. NEB has ditched the mismatched chairs in favor of 20 black plastic beauties. Don’t worry, the ass- swallowing couch from the 70s still props up the back of the room. When I arrive, JP3 is already playing. Pavone and two other violists pluck and bow to great effect. The viola is an expressive instrument, Pavone can easily switch from improv to chamber sounding pieces. Jessica has had an under the radar NYC career dotted with excellent collaborations with the likes of Mary Halvorson and Tomas Fujiwara. She is also a continual presence on the outre marathons of Anthony Braxton. I also notice she guests on a Vampire Weekend record, I guess you never know when a viola is called for. Unfortunately I only catch the second half of the set. Message to bookers and venues, please list the acts and timing in the actual order delivered. I stick around for the apparent headliner Dave Scanlon, a frail balding hipster that I chat with on the way to the bathroom. Dave plays a treated guitar and sing-speaks while blowing a few notes from a harmonica. He states that the one long form piece is about sharks around Greenland. The poetry is obtuse but holds the story line. The guitar work moves from gentle strums to Marc Ribot squalls. Dave has a weird capo on the neck that looks like a wooden leaf press.The harmonica is used to play a single note while Dave turns the sheet music pages and sounds like a distant mosquito. Upon further digging, I learn that Dave is associated with John Zorn’s Tzadik label and is a frequent flyer at the Stone in NYC. Unhappy that I missed most of the set of my intended outing, but happy that I got to view someone new.

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