Andy Statman Trio

The remarkable Andy Statman is a virtuoso on a pair of very dissimilar instruments—mandolin and clarinet—and master of two equally different musical genres—bluegrass and klezmer. Deliciously complicating things and providing a key link is his love of jazz, which finds its way into both genres via Statman's improvisational genius in tapping strains ranging from swing to bop to free jazz. Matching him step-by-step is his equally versatile backing duo of bassist Jim Whitney and drummer Larry Eagle. Together they span the wide realm from Eastern European shtetls to Bill Monroe's Appalachians to West 52nd Street. Here, Statman will play separate sets on mandolin and clarinet, reflecting last year's simultaneous release of East Flatbush Blues, with a bluegrass and Americana roots focus, and Awakening from Above, which is based on traditional Hasidic melodies. Each is distinctly haunting, and the trio plays both with visionary power and soul.
Thu., April 3, 7:30 p.m., 2008