Brian Smith, Marc Gilley, and Todd Mueller -- AKA the Odd Trio -- can spin gyres of sound that lift audiences free of the gravity well of the conventional and into complex harmonic and rhythmic realms by turns wondrous and weird and whimsical. They played Hendershot's tonight, mixing Brian Smith's original pieces with a cover here and there, all to the delight of a smallish, but enthusiastic crowd. For more images from the gig, click here.

Marc Gilley (foreground) and Todd Mueller of the Odd Trio. Photo by Bob Brussack.

Guitarist Brian Smith, one of our town's most versatile and imaginative composers and musicians, joins Marc Gilley and Todd Mueller on the Hendershot's stage in about an hour for the Thursday night jazz. No cover. This ensemble manages to push the envelope without leaving fans of straight-ahead jazz shaking their heads. Highly recommended.

Celebrate Groundhog Day at Hendershot’s on Wednesday, February 2, with one of our town’s musical treasures, Carl Lindberg. There’s no surer way to chase the winter from your soul. First tune around 8:00 pm. No cover. Carl tells us he might be bringing along a special guest for this one. Carl will be performing again on Thursday, February 17, at the Hotel Indigo as part of the Live After Five series. First tune around 6:00 pm. No cover.

Guitarist Jake Mowrer and his quartet are staying busy these days. They’ll be backing Mary Sigalas this evening (Thursday, January 20) at Hendershot’s beginning at around 8:00 pm. No cover. On Wednesday of next week (January 26), the quartet will supply the dinner jazz at Farm 255, first tune once again around 8:00 pm. No cover. And on Thursday, February 10, at 8:00 pm the quartet will be back at Hendershot’s for a show featuring Jake’s own compositions. The quartet’s guest artist for the February 10 gig will be percussionist Tony Oscar. No cover.

Marc Gilley on sax, Brian Smith on guitar, and Todd Mueller on drums make the Odd Trio, one of our town’s most inventive improvisational ensembles. You can check them out Thursday of next week (January 27) beginning around 8:30 pm at Hendershot’s.

Vocalist Mary Sigalas brings her love of the American Songbook to Hendershot’s tomorrow night (Thursday, January 20) at 8:00 pm, backed by Jake Mowrer on guitar, Brent Weber on sax, Stuart Pittman on rhythm guitar, Jason Royer on bass, and Seth Hendershot himself on drums. These gigs are always fun. No cover. Note: You'll see posted in some places that the performance is tonight (Wednesday). Not so. Tomorrow night.

What do you get when you mix one-half of the Wood Brothers with the explorative jazz of Michael Bellar and the AS-IS ensemble? No clue. But tonight's the night to find out. The collaboration between Oliver Wood and the out-there jazz of AS-IS will be on stage at the Melting Point, first set around 8:30 pm. It's an 18+ show. $8 at the door. Here's a taste of AS-IS.

Photo of Trey Wright by Bob Brussack.

Bassist Chris Enghauser sends word that his gig this evening with ATL guitarist Trey Wright at the Hotel Indigo has become a casualty of the bad weather. But there is live jazz tonight in our town. Dan Nettles, Marlon Patton, Robby Handley, and maybe Neal Fountain will be on stage as Kenosha Kid at Hendershot's beginning at 8:00 pm. No cover.