Experimental/Free Jazz with the Lisa Mezzacappa Group

Tuesday, May 9, 7pm at The Back Room | Get tickets |

Jazz in the Neighborhood presents an experimental/free jazz concert and jam with the Lisa Mezzacappa Group. Led by bassist Lisa Mezzacappa, the band will be Cory Wright, reeds; John Finkbeiner, guitar, and Jason Levis, drums.

The evening will be a workshop for musicians who want to learn more about free improvisation and how to structure free improvisation as a group. Anyone who is competent on their instrument, whether in a jazz context or even in classical music or other genres like rock or folk music, is welcome to join in.

After a short set by her ensemble, Lisa Mezzacappa will lead a free improv training session with members of her band. Then those who have signed in for the jam will be invited to sit in for the session part of the evening. Some ad hoc ensembles will also be formed to play short improv pieces. A few simple tunes will be on hand that people can read and arrange on the spot together.

If you’re competent on your instrument and open to exploring new sounds and ways of interacting, this will be a great opportunity to learn from and play with some of the best improvisers in the Bay Area.

This is event is part the Neighborhood Sessions series, a collaboration between Jazz in the Neighborhood and the California Jazz Conservatory with partial funding from the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Avnue, Berkeley
Tickets: $10 general admission. CJC-degree-program students, free.

BYO if you’re over 21.