Kris Davis
Photograph by Peter Gannushkin

Ingrid Laubrock

As printed in the March 22nd edition of the New York Times jazz listings. Kris Davis and Ingrid Laubrock as well as Circle Down will play tomorrow night, March 26, 2013 at Korzo Restaurant beginning at 9:30pm.

Kris Davis and Ingrid Laubrock/Circle Down (Tuesday) Ingrid Laubrock, a saxophonist, and Kris Davis, a pianist, share an aesthetic of unsettled calm and unhurried revelation; they appear on each other’s fine recent albums, and should have no problem distilling their rapport to its essence in this 9 p.m. set. Following suit, at 10:30 p.m., is Circle Down, a venturesome trio consisting of the pianist Angelica Sanchez, the bassist Chris Lightcap and the drummer Chad Taylor. Korzo, 667 Fifth Avenue, at 20th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, konceptionsmusicseries.wordpress.com; suggested donation, $10. (Chinen)

“It’s not that Manhattan is boring,” the pianist James Carney explains via e-mail. “It’s simply become so expensive that venues there tend to program less adventurous jazz and improvised music these days.”

Thanks Matthew, for your in-depth reporting. Make sure to come back soon!

Check out the article in the Village Voice

http://bit.ly/10Wt9iO

Stacken-Knuffke Duo + 1 / James Carney Trio (Tuesday) Jesse Stacken, a pianist, and Kirk Knuffke, a cornetist, have ample experience working as a duo: “Like a Tree” (Steeplechase) is their third album in the format, though, just as in this 10:30 p.m. performance, it includes a guest turn by the drummer Kenny Wollesen. An earlier set, at 9 p.m., will feature a trio led by the pianist James Carney, who programs this series; his rhythm section consists of Chris Lightcap on bass and Ted Poor on drums. At Korzo, 667 Fifth Avenue, at 20th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, myspace.com/konceptions; $10 suggested donation. (Chinen)

Here is an excerpt:

26. Konceptions jazz series
Three blocks from the Prospect Expressway, you’ll find some of the city’s most energizing jazz every Tuesday at Korzo. Composer and keys man James Carney gathers a collegial mix of veterans (pianist Fred Hersch, trumpeter Ralph Alessi) and younger players (pianist Dan Tepfer, vocalist Jen Shyu) around this Central European bar-restaurant’s back-room grand piano. This week’s billing features the Matt Pavolka Band (Tue 23 at 10:30pm). Bonus: Pitchers of all draft beers are $10 after 10pm. 667 Fifth Ave between 19th and 20th Sts, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (718-285-9425, myspace.com/konceptions). Tue 9, 10:30pm; suggested donation $10 plus $7 minimum.

If you’d like to read more, a link to the article is here.

Every Tuesday night sets begin at 9:00pm and 10:30pm respectively. The tip jar is passed and 100% of the money goes to the musicians. It is an honor to be recognized and thank you again to everyone who makes this series successful.

Here’s an excerpt from Ben Ratliff’s review of Tim Berne:

The gig, on Tuesday, was part of the Konceptions series at Korzo, booked by the musician James Carney, who’s doing a quietly heroic job of challenging audiences and keeping the house piano in tune. It’s a place to try new material. The show opened with a workshoplike short set of fresh septet material by the pianist and conductor Gordon Beeferman, including false starts.

If you recently discovered Konceptions, you know what a wonderful find it is.

Last week Konceptions presented Fred Hersch, guest pianist to trumpeter Shane Endsley and also featuring esteemed band members
Ohad Talmor, saxophone, Carlo DeRosa, bass and Tom Rainey, drums.

Every Tuesday Konceptions Music Series presents two sets of live Jazz in an intimate setting. Korzo Restaurant features twelve beers on tap and boasts a delicious, though decadent, fried burger. Tonight is another great grouping of very talented members of the Jazz community:

June 28th – Konceptions Series #179

9:00pm
BERNE, HEBERT, SMITH
Tim Berne, alto saxophone + compositions
John Hebert, bass
Ches Smith, drums

10:30pm
MINERVA
JP Schlegelmilch, piano
Pascal Niggenkemper, bass
Carlo Costa, drums

$10 suggested donation per set + two drink minimum (price is per guest/per set).

It was truly a special evening with Mr. Lopato telling the packed room that he was not only celebrating his 56th Birthday at Korzo, his album release, but he was celebrating the first time he’d played a gig in Brooklyn, his birthplace.

For those of you who missed it, I encourage you to purchase his CD, which is available on his web site – and we hope to have Mr. Lopato and his group back soon.

Schedule of upcoming events: Click the link at the top of this page that reads 2013 Schedule

EVERY TUESDAY

Sets: 9:00pm & 10:30pm
$10 Suggested Donation / $10 Restaurant Purchase

Korzo
667 5th Avenue (between 19th & 20th Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-285-9425
www.korzorestaurant.com

Says curator James Carney: “In 2005 I was walking past the Koze Lounge (now called Quarter Bar) on 5th Avenue in the South Slope. Koze hadn’t been open very long, and the  owner was standing outside. I asked him if they ever had live music, and he said “Yes, sometimes. Why? Are you a musician? Do you know other musicians that would want to play here? If you want a night I’m happy to give it a shot.” I couldn’t believe it; I had just moved here from LA, I was starting to get myself booked around town, and here I was being handed this random golden opportunity. We ended up only doing about 8 nights because he had to close the bar, but that short experience was so satisfying to me that I immediately found another venue nearby (Bar4 on 7th Avenue) that was fantastic. We were at Bar4 for 18 months, then we did short runs at the Douglass Street Music Collective and Biscuit in the north Slope. I took a break from the series for another 18 months and found I really missed the weekly ritual. Then, an acquaintance who was working at Korzo in 2009 told the owner about me, and after a couple of discussions we relaunched Konceptions in September 2009.”

“At the end of September we will celebrate our 3-year anniversary at Korzo, and on December 4, 2012, konceptions #250 will happen. I’m bringing in my 7-piece group that night, and Tim Berne will play the second set. It’s been a lot of work, and it’s not always easy, but the rewards have made it worthwhile.”

Please come join us every Tuesday, enjoy the music, and feel good about the fact that all of the $10. you pay for the suggested donation actually goes to the musicians. Those very artists who work hard – day in and day out – to create amazing music that can change your perspective while challenging you to think differently.  We’re not out to change the world, we just want to present music that isn’t always easy to program in New York City venues. And we want you to hear it live – not on your iPod, but in person. There is a significant difference. Live music is best; it resonates within our bodies in ways we cannot fully comprehend. It alters our perception of what is possible, and empowers and inspires us to improve our own individual artistry. Come experience the magic for yourself each week like we do!

http://www.myspace.com/konceptions
Click above link for the schedule

Every Tuesday
Sets: 9:00pm & 10:30pm
$10 Suggested Donation / $10 purchase

Korzo
667 5th Avenue (between 19th & 20th Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-285-9425
www.korzorestaurant.com