Last June New York pianist Matthew Shipp played a rare trio concert in Chicago, delivering a scorching, tightly coiled set at Constellation with bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Whit Dickey. He’s been a semiregular presence in the city as a solo artist, but a rhythm section brings out a different side of his playing—more propulsive and springy. The context gives a lift to his jagged lines and dense harmonies—they seem to take flight—while the extra harmonic muscle of a bassist lends a richness to his dark chords and glassy runs.
Today’s playlist:
