concerts

Every concert i’ve ever been to, in reverse chronological order.

Tyshawn Sorey, Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh

[Village Vanguard, NYC] – Amazing as always. It’s been a while, so I don’t really remember what was played. I think Arch? Photos of the night are floating somewhere out there on social media. Got a copy of Break Stuff signed afterwards, though I’m usually not a fan of asking for favors like that.

John Scofield, Bill Stewart, Vicente Archer, & Nicolas Payton

[Blue Note, NYC] – Straight, No Chaser; Icons at the Fair (Scofield), The Backwards Step (Payton), Airegin, Othello (Payton), Mask (Scofield), some Hall & Oats type stuff. Mask was sick and very groovy!

Tyshawn Sorey, Greg Osby, Aaron Diehl, Harish Raghavan

[New Haven, CT] – Spoke a bit to Tyshawn, whose Bandcamp-only albums I’d been binging recently. Greg Osby is also super friendly! This was pretty cool; I prefer the piano/bass/drums trio, but it was interesting to hear them in a +horn context. Some weird, out-there stuff happening sonically. Very educational.

Emmet Cohen, Joe Farnsworth, Phillip Norris

[New Haven, CT] – What a surprise to have Emmet Cohen at school! Pretty trad but very, very impressive and delicious. My first time hearing of Norris, who totally rips and inspired me a ton. Farnsworth is also such a force in person–super playful and a performer as much as musician.

Nat Adderley Jr.

[New Haven, CT] – I honestly don’t remember too much about this, which sounds super mean, but it just didn’t have a huge impression on me.

Cory Henry

[Brookyln, NY] – Cory had just dropped Church and was doing free concerts / church services around the city. Went into this knowing it’d be gospel but didn’t realize it was literally a service! Well, it was dope, despite the less-than-superb acoustics. Honestly, the players couldn’t really compare to what I usually see, but I don’t think that was the point. Should’ve brought a tambourine…

Bill Frisell

[The Kate, CT] – Honestly not that memorable. I felt like I couldn’t really hear the guitar most of the time. Also, I really hated the addition of woodwinds, even though the player was fine.

Ari Hoenig, Jean-Michel Pilc, Francois Moutin

[Smalls, NYC] – Been wanting to see Ari since these ancient ancient videos of him on Youtube. Years later and he’s even more playful and casual than I expected! Very cool. I think I remember one of his students coming to watch him play. Super French vibe.

Tyshawn Sorey, Vijay Iyer, Harish Raghavan

[Village Vanguard, NYC] – The first iteration of my favorite trio format! Harish was sitting in for Linda May Han Oh (who, funnily enough, was absent because she went to my school to do a solo concert–switcheroo?).

Trey Anastasio Band

[Hartford, CT] – Like Phish, but with so many gimmicky instruments. Very dope.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats

[Hartford, CT] – My first time hearing of them! They made a good impression. Turns out the band is pretty big.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

[Hartford, CT] – The band that started it all for me! Saw in very muddy concert format at Sound on Sound. Had fallen off the wagon before this, but this totally took me back in. Flea is such an influential force and is so much more creative in person. Also crazy to think that Frusciante is with the band again. I used to think I’d literally never see him.

Jacob Collier

[Raleigh, NC] – I’m not the biggest fan, but he is just so much better in person!

Theo Katzman

[Terminal 5, NYC. April 29 2023] – Literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Someone threw raw corn onto the stage mid-song, which Theo ate. Just something so, so special, beautiful, soulful, independent, and whole about Theo. A man in his own class. I would literally do anything for another tour.

Tommy Emmanuel & Mike Dawes

[Northampton, MA] – A bit uneducated when I saw these two. Didn’t actually know too much about them, which is insane to say. Definitely came out having been masterclassed and do-you-know-who-I-am’ed. My first and (at the time of writing) only acoustic-only concert! So playful and virtuosic. Mike Dawes is actually incredible and wasn’t in the shadows for a single second. Got a cute picture with Mike wearing my Oakleys. Had to get driven here by a teacher at my school, bless him.

Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Derrick Hodge, Mononeon

[Blue Note, NYC] – Talk about SuperBass! Victor Wooten was a special guest, and it was just so insane. He really showed his experience and taste when they were trading. Also my first time really listening to Mononeon. Lesson learned… truly insane!

John Scofield

[Blue Note, NYC] – Got to stay for second set for free! This concert is pretty emotionally rooted in my memory, but I don’t even remember what he played anymore… Yankee go home.

Tyshawn Sorey, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell

[Village Vanguard, NYC] – Came for Bill and Joe, left with an entirely new understanding of music. This concert really broke me and forgot to put me back together. The most incredible revelation. Tyshawn changed my life!

Cory Wong (Wongnotes)

[Brooklyn Steel, NY] – Super tight and lovely solos.

Terence Blanchard

[Northampton, MA] – My first concert ever! I think it was out of my depth at this time, to be honest.