Words and Music: Bonnie Barnett October 3, 2012

Armed with a sonorous, agile contralto, plenty of extended techniques, and a fearless approach to free jazz improvisation, “extreme vocalist” Bonnie Barnett trades chops with consummate players Ken Filiano, on bass, and Anders Nilsson, on electric guitar. In addition to Barnett’s intense, often otherworldly wordless improvisations, her program includes idiosyncratic settings of poems by Gertrude Stein, Gary Snyder and Federico García Lorca. The evening begins with a tribute to the late Los Angeles poet Dottie Grossman, who, among other things, was known for signature “call and response” live performances with musicians. The opening set revisits this format, as visiting poet Elaine Terranova reads from Grossman’s poetry while trombonist Michael Vlatkovich, guitarist Tom McNalley and drummer Rich West volley back with improvised responses.

Official Website: http://www.redcat.org/event/bonnie-barnett