Big Ears - Day 2

 

Another lovely day in Knoxville. Sure, it was overcast and humid, but at least the weather was warm, at least at the start of the day. 

The day started in stellar fashion with a set by John Zorn's original Masada quartet. Zorn insisted on no photography at the set and I complied, but I found this pic from the set online of Zorn and trumpeter Dave Douglas by someone willing to flout the rules.

My next set was a "secret" surprise set, a lovely improvisational duet between guitarists Julian Lage and Nels Cline. 

The "secret" surprise set knocked me off my plan, but I recovered and went to see Jeff Parket and his Expansion Trio at the Mill nd Mine.

After the cool vibes of Parker, I experienced some revved-up funk by Steven Bernstein and his 11-piece Millennial Territory Orchestra (including John Medeski on the Hammond B-3) playing the music of Sly Stone in a fun, exuberant set. Nels Cline cameoed for a set-ending blaze-of-glory solo.

Speaking of cool, a light rain passed through in the late afternoon, followed by a cold front. Temperatures dropped some 20 degrees and gusty winds made it feel far colder. 

British improv legend Fred Frith with a typically (for him) quirky set of angular compositions and, of course, improvisation. 

Another "secret" surprise show, this time a duet of guitarists Mary Halvorson and Marc Ribot.

I ended the day back at the Bijou, where I had started, for another John Zorn set, this time an ensemble called Awakening Ground featuring Zorn, Medeski, and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo. It was another "no photography" set and I again complied, but this time I couldn't find a pic online.

I'm starting with another John Zorn set again today.

Update: Found a forbidden photo of Zorn, Lombardo, and Medeski from the Awakening Ground set.