Ben Wendel Quartet
Recommended
This event is in the past
Wed., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. 2016
The Old Church
Downtown Portland (Portland)
$25 - $30
Ben Wendel exemplifies the modern instrumentalist: He’s lent his fluid and sharply honed saxophone playing to albums by jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan, hip-hop-influenced electronic artist Daedalus, and the experimental ensemble Kneebody. He’s even spent some time backing Snoop Dogg on tour. As much as he shines within these gigs, Wendel burns brightest as a bandleader. His most recent album, What We Bring (recently released by Motéma Records), is a calmly explosive work, like watching a fireworks display with noise cancelling headphones. Wendel’s colorful solos are preceded by gently flaming melodies and lit by the ever-inventive spark of pianist Gerald Clayton and the incredible drummer Henry Cole. ROBERT HAM