Gerry Hemingway

The Stone; Fri 14, Sun 16
Cornelia Street Café; Aug 22

Photograph: Jordan Hemingway

Local dates by Gerry Hemingway, a percussionist and composer prominent in progressive-jazz circles since the mid-’70s, have always tended to come in bursts. The three gigs he’s presenting this week and next demand special attention for two reasons. First, this is your last chance to see Hemingway play in New York for some time; having accepted a teaching position at the Hochschule Luzern, he’ll be moving to Switzerland in September.

And second, Hemingway remains as prodigious and mercurial as ever. Few percussionists offer as compelling a balance of physical and cerebral kicks. At the Stone he’ll introduce new solo-percussion music on Friday 14, and play in BassDrumBone, his raucous collective trio with bassist Mark Helias and trombonist Ray Anderson, on Sunday 16. And on August 22, Hemingway introduces his latest vital small band, this one featuring altoist Oscar Noriega, tenorist Ellery Eskelin, guitarist Terrence McManus and bassist Kermit Driscoll. Time to pay your respects.—Steve Smith

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