Tim Berne's Los Totopos

Thu., June 24, 8 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

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Published: Jun 23, 2010

jazz

It can sometimes be difficult to keep track of saxophonist Tim Berne's numerous bands, most of which are reconfigurations of a relatively small pool of collaborators. Which makes his new touring band, Los Totopos, something genuinely new, made up of younger, emerging musicians instead of Berne's stalwarts. The quartet seems particularly well-suited to tackle his expansive, multi-hued epics, however: Drummer Ches Smith is a powerhouse whose duo Good for Cows deftly juggles jazz and metal; Oscar Noriega is one-third of Chris Speed's aptly named all-clarinet trio The Clarinets; and Philly-based pianist Matt Mitchell has become Berne's muse of late, interpreting the prolific composer's solo piano compositions as well as meshing in with several ensembles.

Too Much Beauty
Who's The Boss
Islands
The Crossing
Carolyn Leonhart and Wayne Escoffery
Men
The Shondes
Floor
Holy Ghost!
Rufus Reid Trio
Sun Airway
Sage Francis