Robert Glasper Experiment

Saturday, October 6th

Blue Note Records has produced some of the best jazz musicians of all time. Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Lee Morgan and so many more have left their mark on the label, established in 1939. Recently, artists like Madlib, Jay Dilla, and Pete Rock have sampled these artists and brought them into hip hop and to a contemporary audience but they took those jazzists’ original ideas and transformed them. Now, talented pianist and record producer Robert Glasper aims to capture the true feel of those early artists by creating his own original work while adding in a new energy with elements of hip hop, neo soul, and even rock. This year the 34-year-old, under the name the Robert Glasper Experiment, released his masterpiece, and Blue Note debut, Black Radio, a fusion of jazz and hip hop that features artists like Erykah Badu, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, and Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def). “I feel like jazz needs a big ass-slap,” Glasper said in a recent interview with jazz magazine, Downbeat. Black Radio is the slap, and it is really an enigma. It sounds like jazz, it sounds like soul, it sounds like hip hop, but there is something different under the hood that might just sneak up on you. Like when soul singer Bilal gently sings the lyrics to David Bowie’s “Letter to Hermione” over a piano driven jazz track or when the record ends with a surprising cover of Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit,” which replaces gritty guitars with soft rumbling rhythms and Kurt Cobain’s pained voice with distant vocoder vocals that would have even the hardest hip hop fan in tears. Black Radio is a collage of musical genres that ignores boundaries. It has its foundation in the past but sounds like the music of the future and the only thing better than listening to this record is watching the band perform it live. The Robert Glasper Experiment will perform live at the Tralf on Saturday (Oct 6). Don’t miss it. —cory perla

7pm The Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com) $25 advance, $30 day of show

Friday, October 5

Old Chestnut Film Society

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Old Chestnut Film Society began at a time when VCRs were still a luxury item. Founder Grant Golden has always run the series with 16mm prints from his personal library, which includes many titles that have never been released to home video. That includes this year’s opening film, Man’s Castle from 1933, starring Spencer Tracey and Loretta Young as a couple trying to scrape by while living in a Manhattan shanty town. Directed by Frank Borzage, this pre-code film (they’re not married) takes a gritty look at life in the depths of the Depression without unduly depressing audiences. Other films in the monthly series, this year devoted to “American Sweethearts” Jean Arthur and Loretta Young, include Party Wire, The Bishop’s Wife, Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It With You and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, The Doctor Takes a Wife, the Preston Sturges-scripted Easy Living, and Orson Welles’ The Stranger. Each evening also includes rare shorts and door prizes. Films are shown on the first Friday of each month. Bring your own snacks! —m. faust

7:30pm Community Room, Phillip Sheridan School, 3200 Elmwood Ave. (836-4757) Series ticket $32, individual tickets $6

Friday, October 5

Ben Folds Five

Attention all self-deprecating cynics with an ironic love of pop music: Ben Folds Five is coming to town. (This is a generalization made with love and self-awareness.) The piano-rock/pop hybrid will be bringing down the house at Kleinhan’s Music Hall this Friday (Oct 5). Though they’ve taken over a decade off, their new album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind, wouldn’t suggest a 13-year hiatus. After seven years and three albums of successful hits like “Brick,” “Army,” and “Song for the Dumped,” Ben Folds Five called it quits in 2000. Front man Ben Folds maintained a successful solo career for a while, which for the most part sustained the sound of the band as a whole. Balancing biting lyrics and animated vocals with occasional soft, thoughtful tracks, both Ben Folds and Ben Folds Five are undoubtedly known for that piano, without which their music may not make much sense. The group reconvened in late 2011 to record their latest album, which was released on September 18th of this year. The album’s single, “Do it Anyway” is reminiscent of everything that we love about the band; spunky, meandering piano riffs combined with dry, satirical lyrics that somehow create a self-empowering jam session. The group’s unique recipe for rock translates even better during a live show, so make sure to check them out on Friday. —elexa kopty

7pm Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle (883-3560 / kleinhansbuffalo.org) $40-$50

Friday, October 5

WBNy 30th Anniversary Concert

College radio is a medium that continually showcases what’s left of the dial, often serving as the voice of generation and an alternative to the predictability of public mainstream radio that dominates the airwaves. WBNY-93.1FM is no exception, and the completely student-run station located in the Campbell Student Union at Buffalo State College has been dedicated to brining the masses fresh, current and diverse programming for the better part of three decades. This Friday (October 5th), Buffalo’s original alternative radio station celebrates their 30th anniversary at Rockwell Hall with a concert featuring some of Buffalo’s best local acts. Set to perform are duo Dotsun Moon, who harken back to 90’s era shoegaze to create their self-described “dreambeat/noir” vibe. Also on the bill are soulful indie outfit Whiskey Reverb, jam/rap hybrid up-and-comers Intent to Sell, and Buffalo-bred emcee Dr. Ooo. A lot has changed in music in the last 30 years, but the importance of college radio stations and their contribution to our community has remained the same. Happy anniversary to WBNY. —jon wheelock

7pm Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave. (878-3005 / buffalostate.edu/pac) $3 for students, $5 general

Saturday, October 6

Eliot Lipp

Eliot Lipp can be bombastic, or he can be relaxed; he can be soulful or mechanical. Depending on the record or DJ set you’re listening to, the electronic dance music producer from Brooklyn by way of San Francisco, can change his style with the flip of a switch. Lipp has been consistent with his releases. His technical skills have shone through since his first self-titled release in 2004 when he emerged from the L.A. electronic scene after glitch-hop producer Prefuse 73 discovered his unique style and signed him to his label. That first record was mostly instrumental hip hop but since then Lipp has released a handful of albums that have greatly expanded his sound, from the liquid electro of 2006’s Tacoma Mocking Bird to the jazzy bass of his latest album Shark Wolf Rabbit Snake. Released earlier this year, Shark Wolf Rabbit Snake is faster at times and more diverse from track to track than the Lipp’s previous material, aspects that allow the producer/DJ plenty of wiggle room in his live set where he can bounce from mellow to frantic and from Detroit hip hop to synth heavy electro. Lipp returns to Buffalo for a set at Duke’s this Saturday (Oct 6) with Papi Chulo —cory perla

10pm Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359 / dukesbohemiangrovebar.com) $10

Saturday, October 6

Matt & Kim

The quirky indie dance-pop duo Matt & Kim are proof that sometimes, less is more. Matt Johnson (keyboards, vocals) and Kim Schifino (drums,vocals) were just your average college art students at Pratt Institute designing album covers for bands. It wasn’t long until each picked up their individual instruments for the first time and began playing intimate, sweaty venues across the Brooklyn landscape. Truly a symbol of the “do it yourself” Brooklyn music scene along with MGMT, Grizzy Bear, and Vampire Weekend, they now top the charts for their up-beat, feel good hit “Daylight” and are known for their energetic live performances all around the world. The Washington Post describes the duo as “the modern Sonny and Cher gorged on Pixy Stix and Red Bull.” Their performances are just as physical as they are musical, as they bounce around on stage encouraging audience members to do the same. Channeling their inner Blink 182, they pushed the envelope by running around stark naked in Times Square in their 2009 video “Lessons Learned.” Their highly anticipated album Lighting, released Tuesday, illustrates the pureness of simplicity with solid tunes accompanied by straightforward production, sometimes only featuring a kick drum, tambourine and vocals. Come celebrate with Matt & Kim this Saturday (Oct 6) at Town Ballroom with support from Oberhofer. —jessica reinhardt

7pm Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com) $18

Saturday, October 6

M&T Bank Dance Series: LehrerDance

For the first time in its 14-year history, the M&T Bank Dance Series will include a local company. Buffalo’s LehrerDance will kick off the season with a concert showcasing the company’s trademark blend of artistry and athleticism. The performance will feature three world premieres: Murmur; Like 100 Men and Skeletons, as well as three LehrerDance classics: The Alliance; Bridge and Tunnel and A Ritual Dynamic. “For the past 14 years the Series has made it possible for the CFA to bring in top notch dance companies form all over he world to Buffalo and this year we are on that Series!,” said Jon Lehrer, LehrerDance director and choreographer, who started the professional dance company in July of 2007. The extensively touring company has plans to tour Russia at the end of this year and Europe in 2013. Dance Magazine said that the company “are on the cusp of jazz/modern fusion,” a compliment not to be taken lightly, and proof that Lehrer belongs on the UB Center for the Arts Mainstage this Saturday (Oct 6). The M&T Bank Series will continue each month through March with performances by the Russian National Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, Dance Theatre of Harlem and more. For more information go to ubcfa.org. —tyler blink

Mainstage Theatre, UB Center for the Arts, 103 Center For The Arts (654-ARTS / ubcfa.org)

Tuesday, October 9

Fiona Apple

Although she has been making headlines lately for getting busted with hash and marijuana possession in Texas. and for firing back at celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton for criticizing her appearance, Fiona Apple is best known for her writing prowess, recognizable vocals, and artistry that has continued since 1994. After three successful albums and two hiatuses in between, Apple released The Idler Wheel...this past June. Her fourth album echoes with emotional resonance, pulses forward with a jazz and rock sensibility, and stands out with raw and honest lyrics such as “That’s when the pain comes in/Like a second skeleton/Trying to fit beneath the skin/I can’t fit the feelings in/Every single night’s alright with my brain” on the opening track “Every Single Night.” She will be bringing her brand of lyrical alternative rock to the acoustically stunning Kleinhans Music Hall this Tuesday (Oct 9). Apple has never been known for being subtle. In 1998 while defending her MTV Video Music Award acceptance speech she said, “I just had something on my mind and I just said it. And that’s really the foreshadowing of my entire career and my entire life. When I have something to say, I’ll say it.” 14 years later Apple stays true to that statement. When Perezhilton.com accused Apple of looking sickly, Apple retorted, “It doesn’t matter what I look like... I’ve always been honest—why would I be dishonest about anything?” —jill greenberg

7pm Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle (883-3560 / kleinhansbuffalo.org) $40-$50