Sun of Goldfinger 4/3/26 Firehouse 12

 I was relegated to the second set as set one sold out in advance. Sun of Goldfinger is a jazz power trio consisting of veteran guitarist David Torn and sax wailer Tim Berne alongside relative newcomer Ches Smith on drums. The trio were warming up to record the following day. Torn and Berne inhabited the early days of Manfred Eicher’s ECM label. Torn, and his group Prezens explored the nexus of jazz and prog with effects laden and looped guitar work. Berne, and his Snakeoil project found success in free jazz blowing, like the 90s John Zorn groups. Ches Smith needs no introduction in this blog. He is a Firehouse staple and recent viewings of him with his Haitian big band and Mary Halvorsen groups have been excellent. Torn, with his long gray hair and beard, looked like a mad scientist Gandalf with a bevy of pedals to channel his sound. Berne, also grizzled with round glasses, looked like the Tootsie Pop owl crossed with Pharaoh Sanders. Ches is always fun to describe, lanky and in constant motion, he looked like a free jazz car dealer balloon man behind his kit. They played one long piece that flowed easily. Berne started out bird like squawking before settling into extended runs. He had a knack for repetitive phrasing that he would change slightly, like a game of “pass it down” with himself. He seemed genuinely in awe of the noises coming from the other two. Torn did appear to be the mad scientist, sometimes surprising himself with the treated sounds from his rig. At one point, he put the guitar on the floor and noodled from his knees. All guitarists have an inner shred function, Torn took one opportunity to unleash some fierce playing, lest we think he is all about pedals and knobs. Ches also took his “electronics” playing to the mix. In addition to his regular kit, he had a table with what looked to be a Simon ( the light up children’s memory toy), another box with a slide rule that emitted slurry electronic bleeps, and a small Moog. In a trio setting it was a treat to get a good view of his playing. The music was challenging, but to view these masters at work allows you to appreciate the skill needed for this racket.