Steve Turre Shell Choir

One of the most unusual big bands out there, Steve Turre's Sanctified Shells includes six trombonists who double up playing seashells and five percussionists who incorporate lots of African rhythms. Their expansive repertoire includes a variety of jazz, Latin, African, and wider world material, all played with swaggering panache and a big dose of exotica. Sanctified Shells is only one of myriad projects from Turre, a prodigious trombonist who learned about the sonic intricacies of conch shells from Rahsaan Roland Kirk back in the 1970s, and has been a member of the Saturday Night Live band for more than 20 years. He also just put out Rainbow People (High Note), a delicious mix of bop and Latin tinges featuring six smart Turre originals and played with sagacious sophistication by an all-star crew including pianist Mulgrew Miller, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and drummer Ignacio Berroa. $40 at 7 p.m.; $25 at 9:30 p.m.
Tue., June 17, 2008