Ari Hoenig

Philly-born, Brooklyn-based drummer Ari Hoenig combines jaw-dropping intensity, phenomenal technique, and visionary perspective, making him a major force in jazz's evolution through the 21st century. After studying in the renowned North Texas jazz program, Hoenig became a in-demand session musician in New York, making a name for himself with a particularly supple touch that produces complex textures, frenetic flourishes, and head-spinning twists amid explosive music that is yet packed with lyricism. He has been called one of the most melodic drummers in jazz, and lives up to that most spectacularly on a solo drum-kit version of Monk's "Round Midnight"—the melody gloriously discernable—on last fall's Bert's Playground. Tonal colors regularly fly off his skins, from the free-jazz-funk workout with saxophonist Chris Potter on Hoenig's own "Green Spleen" to the exquisitely delicate collaboration with Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman on "Embraceable You." Hoenig, who likes to call his bands Punk Bop (reflecting his intention to re-energize but not overthrow tradition), will appear in a trio format here, with Hekselman and local bassist Adam Linz of Fat Kid Wednesdays.
Fridays, Saturdays, 9 p.m. Starts: May 29. Continues through May 30, 2009