A jazz institution

By Daffodil Altan
 Catalyst
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catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu

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Wildcat File Photo
 Arizona Daily Wildcat

The Aaron Bonsall Trio


For the uninitiated in the ways of the Mat Bevel Institute, this weekend presents a perfect opportunity to not only bask in the incomparable atmosphere of owner Ned Schaper's unique sculptural creations, but also to wallow in the sweet melody of "Emerging Voices," a new monthly series devoted to local improvising jazz artists.

Presented by the non-profit Zeitgeist organization, "Emerging Voices" will take place the first Friday of every month and is designed to complement the ongoing "Jazz at the Institute" concerts which bring national and international touring artists to Tucson. Zeitgeist and "Jazz at the Institute" both strive to provide an improvisational forum for local artists, as well as to attract musicians to Tucson.

The Aaron Bonsall Trio will kick off the first concert of the series Friday at 8 p.m. Headed by Bonsall, a UA Jazz Studies graduate, the trio explodes with the improvisational freedom of unfettered form. Saxophonist Jeremy Patfield, also a UA alumnus, is winner of the 1997 Tucson Jazz Society Young Artist Award, a member of the Ed Ulman Quintet and a regular performer with several Latin jazz ensembles. Drummer Aaron Bonsall comes from the Sunny Murray school of continuous rhythmic pulse, and has been a continuous presence on the local scene while privately pursuing his more explorative and challenging music. Bassist Jem Solomon is the newest member of the group, replacing founding bassist Lee Gardner.

The trio is a "group of younger players, who formed outside of their more conventional playing groups to explore the freedom of improvisational, unfettered form," said Steve Hahn, founder and organizer of the Zeitgeist organization.

In November, the series will host the Mat Mitchell Quartet, headed by Mitchell who has been a prominent member of the local scene for years as a member of the Blue Monks. The annual "Making It Up (in real time)" will head the December performance, with a showcase of six different local bands that will do their improvisational jam for 45 minutes each.

So if you're in the mood for some free stylin' innovative expression, head down to the Mat Bevel Institute and enjoy an artistic feast that won't leave a single sense untuned.

The Mat Bevel Institute is located at 530 N. Stone Ave. (just north of Sixth Street). Tickets are $5 and available at the door.