Also this issue: Trading on Tragedy? This Athens dance duo has nothing but respect for the World Trade Center. -Brian Howard New York Philharmonic -Andrew Ervin The Illadelph Xperiment -Ainé Ardron-Doley Broken Hips -Alex Richmond Angelica Sanchez Quartet -Nate Chinen

May 16-22, 2002

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In the Valley of Sacred Sound

Jazz

Anyone who's ever sat through a drum circle should understand the "sacred" intimations of this performance -- which features Philadelphia percussionist Harold Smith alongside trombonist/conch virtuoso Steve Turre (below) and tabla master Badal Roy. As on the recent album of the same name (available via Steiner-Weiss Unlimited), In the Valley of Sacred Sound reaches for a primal, almost precognitive purity of expression, by way of chant and drone. Which isn't to diminish the caliber of musicianship here (which is exceptional), or the thought behind their process (which is considerable). Sometimes you lose knowledge to find it. Or something to that effect.

Sun, May 19, 3 p.m., $18 in advance, $22 at the door, Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave., 215-248-9229, www.sedgwickcenter.org.

—Nate Chinen