The jazz community - and those who hang with them - turned out in force last night at Tea Lounge to support the benefit for saxophonist/composer Andrew D'Angelo. $20 got you a copy of Andrew's just-released CD, Skadra Degis, along with two beers from the bar; friends carried a bucket around to collect whatever else they could. I got there in time to catch Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant and a group of Andrew's compatriots (Jim Black, Chris Speed, Oscar Noriega, and Trevor Dunn) playing his compositions.

I put Skadra Degis on this afternoon, and was immediately taken aback by its range: from hard bop to acid and experimental, haunting dirge to ecstatic hymn, violent rage to sunburst. This is not the elegy of a man ready to lie down: it's the soundtrack to a Battle in the Heavens, with both opponents beating the crap out of each other. Just try on "25 Hits" for size:

The last track on the album, "Gay Disco," sounds like a victory lap around the vanquished foe. Let's save that one for when Andrew gets well. Trevor Dunn's Trio Convulsant (Trevor Dunn - Bass, Mary Halvorson - Guitar, Ches Smith - Drums)

Jim Black, Chris Speed, Oscar Noriega, and Trevor Dunn, playing D'Angelo