Louis Moholo-Moholo, Zim Ngqawana, and Ernest Dawkins at An Die Musik

Last night, my friends Andy and Melinda from NYC came into town, and Andy recommended we go to see South African jazz drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo in his only East Coast tour date this year. He was playing at local free music/jazz/classical space, An Die Musik. He was accompanied by another African jazz musician, saxophonist/pianist Zim Ngqawana (you click when saying his last name) and saxophonist Ernest Dawkins.
The show was amazing- the three musicians all had a lot of control and restraint in their improv that less experienced players often lack. Moholo-Moholo was awesome- he was a frakin' samurai on the drums. I loved his facial expressions when he played- he reminded me of the shogun assasin and Zatoichi.
Ngqawana (click) was pretty amazing blowing various saxes - soprano, alto, and baritone, as well as on the piano and singing. Dawkins was also entertaining - my favorite part was when he laughed as he played his saxophone.
Yet another cool show in this great space for avant-garde shows- no mics!

La Disparation

Tonight, another show, French singer-songwriter Keren Ann played at the Engineer's Club in Baltimore. Cool venue- some old school club in a mansion in Mount Vernon.
When I arrived the Baltimore Foodies were there for a "networking" party- thinking about joining the club next year -maybe...
The space Keren Ann played in was really cool - a salon with decorative ceilings- she sounded great playing a mix of her English and French songs as well as a cover of "The Tennessee Waltz" and Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi."



I swear I had this olfactory sensation of pizza with oregano and garlic during the show. Someone who arrived late tried to get me to move over a seat so she and a friend could sit up close. Personally, I find this rude. I am making it a point to refuse to move over in concerts and movies to accomodate late arrivals. When I've got my sweet spot in the place, sorry, not budging. I hate it especially when they try to make me feel like the ass in this situation.

I like Baltimore cause in the next block over at the Peabody Conservatory, another concert was going on - such a marked difference in cultural activities versus Vegas. The Washington Monument looked really amazing tonight with the clear cold night sky. Ahhh... bundling up.

Tomorrow. . .the MVA.