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Monday, August 6, 2018

The MöBIUS Band Friday, August 10th, 8pm, @ Trumpets Jazz Club

WHEN: Friday, August 10, One set only at 8:00 PM
WHERE:
Trumpets Jazz Club & Restaurant, 6 Depot Square, Montclair
ADMISSION: $25 Cover charge, $12 minimum

Pete Levin – keyboards
Alex Foster – sax
Chris Pasin – trumpet
Jeff Ciampa – guitar
Tony Levin – bass
Lenny White – drums
Nanny Assis – percussion

Despite important gigs with Gil Evans and Jimmy Giuffre, plus his own touring band with bassist-brother Tony, keyboard wizard Pete Levin is less feted as a leader than as a prolific sideman. Nevertheless, this is his ninth leader album, and it features a cast with impressive mileage.

The title track, with its looping 12-tone keyboard riff and Jeff Ciampa's angular guitar, trades commercialism with experimentalism. The influence of Evans' rock inquiries and electric Miles Davis is apparent, but the material is varied and indicative of Levin's broad experience. A standout is the African-influenced "Kakilambe," featuring forthright contributions from Brazilian percussionist Nanny Assis, trumpeter Chris Pasin and more intensity from Ciampa. There's a funky version of Thelonius Monk/Coleman Hawkins' "I Mean You," and Tony Williams' "There Comes a Time." "Another Time, Another Place" includes a nice, measured solo from the leader, whose omnipotent role is as soundscape architect and colorist. The rousing closer, recorded on an earlier date with Levin on organ, Jerry Marotta on drums and Kal David on guitar, is bounced along by bari saxist Erik Lawrence and Rob Paparozzi's disarming jaw harp.

www.trumpetsjazz.com

www.petelevin.com