January 27-February 2, 2005

musicpicks

Gold Sparkle Band

jazz In 2003, Thunder Reminded Me found the Gold Sparkle Band exercising more restraint than usual thanks to the guest appearance of multireed player Ken Vandermark. While Vandermark shares GSB's fondness for loose-limbed, Albert Ayleresque compositions with plenty of room for overblowing excursions, his presence (and his drill sergeant haircut) seemed to curtail the band's more undisciplined instincts. But with the adults out of the room for this performance, expect an evening of all-out assault. After 10 years together, altoist/clarinetist Charles Waters, bassist Adam Roberts and drummer Andrew Barker still sound like a giddy garage band, albeit one that covers Ornette Coleman rather than The Stooges. Their original lineup directly emulated Coleman's pianoless quartet, though the departure of trumpeter Roger Ruzow left them an even freer-playing trio. The Gold Sparkle Band may not be doing anything particularly new, but they're doing it loud. And in a live setting, that's sometimes just as important.

Fri., Jan. 28, 8 p.m., $12, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., 215-222-9050.

—Shaun Brady