June 23-29, 2005

musicpicks

Paraphrase

Jazz
Tim Berne doesn't think small. Paraphrase arose in the late 1990s alongside Berne's blistering quartet Bloodcount, and the membership would seem to imply a quieter alternative. The stripped-down trio is dedicated to free improv rather than Bloodcount's long-form compositions, but the results are no less epic — anything under 20 minutes being the Paraphrase equivalent of bubblegum pop. In the absence of a second horn, Berne blows pretty much nonstop, and despite the lack of written lines his innate melodicism is intact. Drew Gress coaxes a staggering range from his bass, drummer Tom Rainey is his usual combustive self and the sum is a huge, ballsy sound out of all proportion with the size of the ensemble making it. This is a special occasion for two reasons: Paraphrase, who haven't recorded in almost six years, are making their Philly debut, and Ars Nova Workshop is christening its new home at The Five Spot.

Sun., June 26, 9 p.m., $12, The Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0700.

—Shaun Brady