This Tuesday, January 8, The Jazz Gallery is pleased to welcome pianist Lex Korten to our stage for two sets with his Quartet+. Korten made his Gallery debut in 2018, presenting new music for his working quartet, plus his more fantastical Make/Believe project. This week, Korten will showcase an expanded version of his quartet, featuring trombonist Kalia Vandever, saxophonist Alex Hitchcock, and vocalist Olivia Chindamo alongside regulars Ben Tiberio on bass and Morgan Guerin on drums.A major thread of Korten's music for the quartet is highlighting social issues and the work of contemporary activists. In a previous interview with Jazz Speaks, Korten spoke about his approach to dealing with these ideas musically:

Over the last two years, there have been many moments when I’ve wanted to express things about activist figures in American society today. But I’ve been careful to try to find an appropriate way to reflect that desire in my music which doesn’t claim any of their attention, or detract from what they’ve done and try to apply it to myself. There’s a suite of music that I wrote in response to many recent incidents in which the rights of Americans have been grossly infringed upon by law enforcement. As part of what I said before, I prefer not to name anyone in my song titles. One song of mine was previously named after a person I greatly admired, and I decided I needed to change that song’s name, because the implication of my having any ownership of that person’s actions was ridiculous. I’m trying to find different ways to express admiration.

Come out to The Jazz Gallery to hear Korten and his peers explore their place in the world through their collective music-making. The Lex Korten Quartet+ plays The Jazz Gallery on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. The group features Mr. Korten on piano, Alex Hitchcock on tenor saxophone, Kalia Vandever on trombone, Ben Tiberio on bass, Morgan Guerin on drums, and special guest Olivia Chindamo on vocals. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. $15 general admission (FREE for members), $20 reserved cabaret seating ($10 for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.