Percussionist Kevin Norton is hard to place; his breakthrough gig was with legendary bassist Milt Hinton, but after graduating from the Manhattan School of Music he kept company mostly with members of NYC's downtown scene. Over the past decade, his solo work has split the difference, planting jazz roots in relatively unexplored territory (frontiers on which another mentor, composer Anthony Braxton, has long dwelled). Norton's latest endeavor finds him on vibes leading a trio that may look traditional but has an expansive vision of just how far out swing can swing.
Fri., April 10, 8 and 10 p.m., $15, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com