BELLOWS FALLS-Loaded with powerhouse jazz ringers, Dr. Julian’s Yes Yes — a new project of the ethnomusicologist-composer-master of drum traditions Julian Gerstin — will play the nonprofit listening room Stage 33 Live, at 33 Bridge St., Saturday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m.
The Julian Gerstin Sextet packed Stage 33 Live in 2024, and now Gerstin has a new eclectic jazz project called Dr. Julian’s Yes Yes — “a fun, affirming name for a fun, affirming music experience,” said organizers in a news release. “They take the songs in more unplanned directions than the Sextet, but [are] still loaded with adventuresome, exciting rhythms, and audience-friendly melodies.”
The group varies slightly, depending on availability of the artists for a given date, and includes saxophonist-clarinetist Jeff Lederer, who organizers said has been included in the Downbeat Critics’ and Readers’ poll every year since 2014; reed player and ethnomusicologist Paul Austerlitz, specializing in bass and contrabass clarinets; saxophonist Jason Robinson of the Janus Ensemble, and professor of music at Amherst College; and pianist Andrew Wilcox, “still young but already romping with all the big dogs,” said organizers.
Others include bassist Wes Brown, who has toured the world with performers from three centuries, including Earl “Fatha” Hines, Anthony Davis, and Anthony Braxton; trumpeter Haneef Nelson, a respected pillar of the jazz community as a composer, arranger, and bandleader; trumpeter Don Anderson, veteran of numerous groups; interdisciplinary percussionist, composer, and polyrhythmic force Brian Shankar Adler; and drummer Ben James, who has worked with John Tchicai, Babatunde Olatunji, and Green Mountain Mambo.
The ringleader is Gerstin, who draws on the drum traditions of Ghana, Cuba, Martinique, Brazil, and other African and diasporic countries, as well popular styles of Nigeria, South Africa, Martinique, Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Mexico.
Tickets are $20 in advance through stage33live.com or at the door. Only 40 tickets will be sold. Advance tickets guarantee entry. Advance sales will close at midnight the day before the show, or when the tickets are gone. The performance will be recorded and filmed.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.