For more than a decade, Epistrophy Arts has been Austin’s leading voice in free-form and avant garde jazz, consistently bringing the world’s finest in improvised music to local stages (see “Free Jazz, Thin Margin”). This month, Epistrophy continues the streak with two shows at the Victory Grill: “Amsterdam Meets Chicago,” featuring the Ab Baars Trio with Ken Vandermark on Friday, followed by the triple threat of Peter Brotzmann, Nasheet Waits, and the Eric Revis Trio on April 30. OTR asked Epistrophy Arts founder Pedro Moreno to help break down the two bills.
The Ab Baars Trio with Ken Vandermark: Ab Baars represents the very fertile Dutch scene, which is amazing. We’ve had the pleasure of hosting him with the ICP Orchestra, a 10-piece band from Amsterdam. I love his music. It’s really idiosyncratic and unique in jazz and improvised music. He’s doing something really marvelous with the trio. By adding American Ken Vandermark, who we’ve worked with several times, it’s an absolute thrill. I can’t wait to see those guys play together. This event represents what we’re all about. We want to promote mutual cultural exchange.
Peter Brotzmann: He’s one of the pioneers of European free improvisation. For me personally, his integrity and commitment to this music against all odds has made him an icon. He’s been following his vision for close to 40 years. He’s just phenomenal, and live it’s something else – a hundred times as powerful. It’s really something to behold.
This article appears in April 3 • 2009.