Reader’s Choice Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble

Flutist Nicole Mitchell is one of the city’s most prolific, original, and restless composers, writing both long-form conceptual works—such as the recently released Xenogenesis Suite (Firehouse 12), a tribute to Afro-futurist writer Octavia Butler—and gritty, melodically generous tunes that tap heavily into the blues, free jazz, and African styles. Luckily, she’s got a deep pool of collaborators flexible enough to navigate her astonishing range—including saxophonist David Boykin, trumpeter David Young, cellist Tomeka Reid, bassist Josh Abrams, pianist Justin Dillard, and drummer Marcus Evans—and their mix of adaptability and chops makes Black Earth Ensemble not only one of Chicago’s most reliable groups but also one of its least predictable.  Next gig: Fri 7/4, 9:30 PM, Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak, 312-791-9050, nicolemitchell.com. —Peter Margasak

Readers’ Choice Vandermark 5

kenvandermark.com. Listen: "Burn Nostalgia"

Send a letter to the editor.

From the Reader blogs