ElSaffar is known for his Two Rivers sextet and 17-piece Rivers of Sound Orchestra, both of which blend Middle Eastern and jazz instrumentation. At the outset, this album’s ensemble looks like a traditional jazz setting, except for one anomaly - the absence of a bass instrument. This is by design: with the unique resonances of the microtonal piano, and ElSaffar and Mathisen’s well-honed blend of two instruments into one sound, rich and nuanced timbres and harmonies are able to ring out, unencumbered with pitch information in the low registers. The bass-less context also allows Fujiwara and Giannouli to find interesting polyrhythms and grooves, further encouraged by ElSaffar’s written material that leaves the rhythmic aspects open.

Location: The Stissing Center, 2950 Church St, Pine Plains, NY 12567

Mar 8, 2026 • 3:00 PM