Fennesz

"[Sleepthief] makes for demanding listening [and is] a declaration of the abiding value of collective, spontaneous music making." -Nic Jones, All About Jazz

Ars Nova Workshop is excited to present Sleepthief, a trio consisting of German saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, UK pianist Liam Noble, and US percussionist Tom Rainey.  The trio has performed together extensively, and in 2008 released their self-titled debut on Intakt Records.

"Dave Burrell, a consistently insightful pianist who writes engaging melodies (a rare talent)...is a scintallating solo performer." -Gary Giddins, Village Voice

Ars Nova Workshop is excited to present the second of two back-to-back nights for which we will be celebrating the 70th birthday of Dave Burrell, one of the most influential and creative North American jazz pianists.  For this occasion, Burrell will be joined by a very special guest who will be announced soon!

"Matthew Shipp has become one of the most distinctive piano stylists operating in the free jazz continuum." -John Sharpe, All About Jazz

Ars Nova Workshop presents a special solo performance by Matthew Shipp, one of today's most talented and versatile pianists.

Please join Ars Nova Workshop for this performance by the Michael Formanek Quartet, featuring the stellar line-up of Craig Taborn, Tim Berne, and Gerald Cleaver.  Come celebrate the release of Formanek's new album on ECM Records!

Ars Nova Workshop is thrilled to present percussionist Ches Smith's exciting new quartet, These Arches, featuring Tony Malaby, Mary Halvorson, and Andrea Parkins.

"The finest composition, like improvisation, ultimately relies on intuition, and these players seem to have an innate grasp of the right combination of sounds and textures. Dans les arbres must be one of the finest ECM Improv releases - indeed, releases from any label - in recent years." - Andy Hamilton, The Wire

Ars Nova Workshop is pleased to announce this very special, first Philadelphia performance by French Norwegian quartet Dans les Arbres, who are also making their first trip to the United States!

"The drummer Tomas Fujiwara works with rhythm as a pliable substance, solid but ever shifting. Over the last five years he has established a busy profile on the experimental end of the jazz spectrum, where such perspective is vital... His style is forward-driving but rarely blunt or aggressive, and never random. He has a way of spreading out the center of a pulse while setting up a rigorous scaffolding of restraint." -Nate Chinen, New York Times

Please join Ars Nova Workshop for the second of three special nights of performances with the Instant Composers Pool Orchestra, featuring Han Bennink, Michael Moore, Misha Mengelberg, and seven other creative artists who for over 40 years have been at the forefront of experimental music!