Bern Nix/Charles Ellerbee

Thu., Sept. 20, 8 p.m., The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.

by Shaun Brady

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Published: Sep 18, 2007

jazz

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They'll each be leading separate groups, but guitarists Bern Nix (pictured) and Charles Ellerbee are forever linked as two halves of a whole in jazz history. For a dozen years between 1975 and 1987, the pair were the guitarists for Ornette Coleman's Prime Time band, the legendary saxophonist's harmolodic take on the jazz-rock fusion being pursued more literally by many of his contemporaries. On albums like Dancing in Your Head, In All Languages and (supplemented by Jerry Garcia) Virgin Beauty, the duo provided electric counterpart at once buoyant and serrated, offsetting Coleman's corkscrew melodies and the off-kilter funk of the rhythm section (usually consisting of one or both of Ellerbee's fellow Philadelphians, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Calvin Weston). Both have incorporated Coleman's obtuse tangents into their own more traditional playing ever since. Nix brings his trio and Ellerbee a quintet — but would it be too much to hope that Jamaaladeen and Calvin drop by for a reunion?

Thu., Sept. 20, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

 

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