Of all the music released this year, there’s one recording that doesn’t fail to hit the spot for me when it comes to twisted instrumental thrills. Drummer Ches Smith’s “Clone Row” (Otherly Love Records) is state-of-the-art jazz-rock, due to Smith’s gnarly compositions, inventive drumming and expert work on the vibraphone.
Two not-so-secret weapons in recent times — guitarists Mary Halvorson and Liberty Ellman — bend their strings in mind-altering ways on the project, and Nick Dunston helps hold it all together on bass and electronics. Clocking in at around 40 short minutes, the album is charismatic, even friendly in its approach to creative music. It could serve as a gateway to forward-thinking indie rock fans who aren’t sure where to get started with jazz.
Smith, whose résumé includes stints with John Zorn, Dave Holland and the befuddling experimental rock group Mr. Bungle, had something specific in his mind when he began collaborating with the other members of the quartet in New York.
“I’ve always wanted the sound of two guitars in a band,” said Smith, who brings the group to The Pearl in Denver on Oct. 15. “I sort of came up in the (San Francisco) Bay Area, and people were always trying new things in indie rock and punk. I’ve always been attracted to doing things differently.”
Thatap apparent throughout “Clone Row,” which has more than its share of original, sometimes jarring ideas, performed by a group representing the vanguard in current jazz. Since all four members are bandleaders themselves, does that add to the success of the project?
“Definitely,” Smith said. “I really like to be surprised with what they will come up with, and they’re all diligent about playing this music. As we go on tour, we haven’t played a whole lot live, actually. I’m going to encourage them to push this music to the breaking point. They’re all composers and bandleaders, and extremely qualified to make their own decisions, so I’m probably going to be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.”
Ches Smith’s “Clone Row,” 7 p.m., Oct. 15, The Pearl, 2199 California St., Denver. Tickets $27.27-$53.24; creativemusicworks.org.
And more jazz in October: The English trio GoGo Penguin appears at the Boulder Theater on Oct. 5. … The Gabriel Mervine Quartet plays at The Brown Palace Hotel on Tuesdays in October. … Ascending vocalist Laufey is at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Oct. 8. … At Denver’s Nocturne this month: The Zach Howarth Trio honors drummer Roy Haynes (as we all should) on Wednesdays, and The Tatiana Mayfield Brown Quartet takes to the stage on Fridays — except for Oct. 31, when keyboardist Adam Bodine holds his 2025 Halloween Spooktacular there. … There’s a lot to choose from at Dazzle in October, including the Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart Organ Trio on Oct. 6 and 7. The Brubeck Brothers (sons of Dave) Quartet plays two shows there on Oct. 15. Acclaimed drummer Makaya McCraven performs Oct. 23-24, and harpist Brandee Younger, who follows the elegant spirits of Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, is there Oct. 28. … Saxophonist Branford Marsalis brings his quartet to Gates Concert Hall Oct. 17. … The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra performs “Rhythm & Brass: A Latin Jazz Fiesta” at The Arvada Center on Oct. 18.
