October 5–12, 2000

critic pick|jazz

Tin Hat Trio

On Helium (Angel), this avant-chamber threesome touches upon a myriad of textures: dramatic tango, twangy bluegrass, bossa nova, heartland-jazz (á la Frisell), ethnic classical (á la Bartók) and a hyperkinetic sound best described as music for a Stanley Tucci movie. Comprised of Mark Orton (on guitar, dobro, and banjo), Carla Kihlstedt (on violin and viola) and Oranj Symphonette member Rob Burger (on accordion, piano, pump organ, harmonica and "marxophone"), the Tin Hat Trio creates intimate spaces and crafts intricate moods. Who cares whether it qualifies as folk, or jazz, or chamber music; it’s distinctive, and creative, and yes, fun.

—Nate Chinen

Wed., Oct. 11, 8:30 p.m., $8, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0978.