The latest installment of the Jazz Foundation of Memphis’ World Class Jazz Series brings renowned pianist Cyrus Chestnut to the New Daisy Theatre Saturday, November 23rd, for two sets, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m. Originally from Baltimore, the 39-year-old Chestnut worked behind artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard before moving out on his own and becoming one of the most recognizable traditional jazz figures of his generation. In addition to drawing comparisons to earlier greats such as McCoy Tyner and Thelonious Monk, Chestnut’s work is notable for its blues and gospel influences. Chestnut will be accompanied by drummer Renardo Ward and bassist Erroll Thomas for this concert.
On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, local sonic assault artists The Lost Sounds will be throwing a record-release party this weekend for their riveting new effort, Rats’ Brains & Microchips. The Sounds will be at Young Avenue Deli Friday, November 22nd.
— Chris Herrington
I’ve got no choice. I’ve got to go see Extreme Chaos: Insane Hardcore Midget Wrestling at the New Daisy Theatre on Friday, November 22nd. They managed to get the words “extreme,” “chaos,” “insane,” “hardcore,” and “midget” all crammed into a single title, and for that reason alone I will be in the crowd when all those little folks start to whooping on one another.
In the post-rock spirit of the late ’90s, Tiger Style recording artists The Mercury Program (coming to Young Avenue Deli on Thursday, November 21st) seem to be writing soundtracks for movies that don’t yet exist — whispered vocals barely apparent in the mix of guitar, electric piano, and vibraphones. (Yes, I said vibraphones.) At worst, the Florida-bred quartet sound like they are preparing to make a rocked-up version of those Sounds of the Rainforest CDs. That is to say, there is a definite gurgling quality to the Mercury Program’s sound, which is clearly more about texture than melody or even motion. They’ll be playing with local upstarts The Coach & Four.
—Chris Davis