Tonight: had no idea what to expect for bassist Sam Wilkes at Music Hall tonight. First of all, maybe the only time I've seen seats in the venue. And why that venue? And where did all these people come from?

Quartet with Will Graefe on guitar, Benny Bock on Rhodes and synth, and Craig Weinrib on drums. A synthesis of mid-70's fusion and ambient jazz with some sublime moments. At worst it was very good smooth jazz, at its best it was joyful bliss. The sound profile of the four instruments was *just* right.

But seriously, as many questions as answers.

#nycfreaks #livemusic #brooklyn

Tonight: socks-knocked-off set from Madison Cunningham. She's always impressed, but somehow that show at Town Hall still vastly exceeded my expectations. Performing in a duo with this guy playing clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, keys - and looping them masterfully. Like a stellar ambient jazz show going on underneath a stellar indiefolk show. She got her start playing with Andrew Bird and she's basically at that grandmaster level, serious 5-tool player as far as I'm concerned. And the simple-but-effective visual scheme, like the whole show was taking place underwater (too dark and too far for any photos, though).

Wow!

#nycfreaks #livemusic #madisoncunningham

My new favorite regular gig in NYC is the improv jam going on at the Richardson in Williamsburg every Tuesday. Seems mostly organized by Scott Colberg, who's become my seek-at-all-costs bassist in town. Everything he does seems to be fantastic which is how I feel about Jeremy Gustin, who is often on these gigs as well.

Tonight the trio was those two and this new-to-me dude Abe Seiferth on guitar/electronics. Caught the second set and it was holyshit! good.

Amazing jams will always find a place to live in this town. If the last 25+ years have taught me anything, it's that.

#nycfreaks #livemusic #brooklyn #williamsburg #jams #jazz

Tonight: Tony Trishka curated a stellar bill of banjo players. From Bela Fleck to Steve Martin to my personal favorite, Nora Brown. Great balance of styles and everyone kind of killed it. Tony's band with Michael Daves and Brittany Haas was awesome. An embarrassment of riches. Really great night at Symphony Space.

And for some reason Fred Armisen showed up at the end? And two people behind us got into a shouting match that I think started over an armrest dispute? Fuck yes, NYC!

#nycfreaks #livemusic #banjo #nyc

Tonight: completed a trifecta of Newport Folk regulars in one week. Brandi Carlile, then Langhorne Slim, and now Margo Price who absolutely crushed it at Webster Hall tonight. Her band is freakin great, with Sean "Weird Ears" Thompson on guitar. He is something special in 3 completely different bands.

And for those who say there are no protest songs these days, all three of those acts had a current of protest energy flowing through their sets, especially Margo tonight, nearly half her set felt charged with either "fuck em all up!" or "we've got this!" energy, not to mention not one but two Dylan covers.

There are few badasses as badass as Margo Price.

#nycfreaks #livemusic #margoprice