Thirsty Ear recording artists Blink. are a beacon in the already-bright future of Chicago’s avant-jazz scene. Between holiday parties, some of us will sneak out to see the group’s grooving creations of hard-hitting alternative jazz.
Friday, December 19
Blink. @ Uncommon Ground (Devon Ave.)
Based around forward-thinking compositions of bassist Jeff Greene, Blink. is a jazz-crossover four-piece that touches on rock as well as improvisation.
Each member is a shining figure in the future of Chicago’s avant-jazz scene: Dave Miller (Algernon) provides noisy wanderings and distant moans on his guitar, sharply contrasting but strongly complementing the refined jazz chops of saxophonist Greg Ward (We Tree, Greg Ward Quartet). Drummer Quin Kirchner (NOMO, Tomorrow Music Orchestra) ably backs any given passage with beats that bounce, gently ting, or hit hard.
Greene also provides samples, which add another layer of sonic augmentation. Already together for two years, the group recently saw the release of its debut album, The Epidemic of Ideas, on alternative jazz label Thirsty Ear, so make sure to pick up a copy if you get to this free hour-long gig.
Blink.: www.myspace.com/blinkchicago
Thirsty Ear: www.thirstyear.com