Skip Heller Trio

JAZZ

It's always been hard to pin down Skip Heller, whose guitar is equally at home in jazz, rockabilly, exotica and pop. So while it seems surprising that Heller's last several recordings have all used jazz organ combos, two new discs due May 19 on Philly's Dreambox Media prove that his playing is as diverse as ever. A Philly native, Heller fondly recalls a time when there were organ trios in every corner bar, and he set out to recreate that vibe on Out of Time, recorded live at Tritone with a pick-up band of locals. He sticks with a clean, Grant Green tone and generates an atmosphere more suited to an audience of '60s jazz devotees than the tattooed hipsters that usually pack Tritone. Bear Flag features Heller's usual Los Angeles trio and is a more rocking affair, employing Heller's trademark twang and settling in for some serious grooves.

Fri.-Sat., May 13-14, 8:45 p.m., $10, Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, Third and Poplar sts., 215-922-1035.

—Shaun Brady

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