February 17-23, 2005

musicpicks

Lafayette Gilchrist and New Volcanoes

jazz

There is a new generation of jazz pianists assuming the mantle of innovation long monopolized by saxophonists, largely by appropriating elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica. But where the Shipps, Morans and Mehldaus traverse the fringes in search of the new, Lafayette Gilchrist shoots for a rebirth of the cool. The self-described "child of hip-hop" doesn't try to Frankenstein together the corpses of other genres. He simply lets his early influences emerge through his fingers, resulting in a funky, bottom-heavy groove. A former amateur boxer, Gilchrist jabs at the keys with a blocky, rhythmic attack and a powerhouse left hand that makes you feel sorry for the other guy. The Baltimore-based pianist is also a gifted composer and arranger, conjuring a huge sound out of his sextet that nevertheless leaves plenty of space for the soloists to play with his strutting, stop-start themes.

Fri.-Sat., Feb. 18-19, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., $15, Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-732-4500.

—Shaun Brady