Music for avant-jazz sextet inspired by the origins of the universe and the invisible forces at work in the cosmos.

• Aaron Bennett, tenor sax
• John Finkbeiner, electric guitar
• Mark Clifford, vibes
• Tim Perkis, electronics
• Lisa Mezzacappa, acoustic bass & compositions
• Sam Ospovat, drums

Bay Area bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa and her sextet perform a suite of original music inspired by Italo Calvino’s funny, imaginative, gloriously nerdy Cosmicomics stories. Mezzacappa intersperses readings from Calvino’s stories with her inventive compositions, which feature angular grooves, layered melodies, abstract soundscapes and thrilling ensemble interaction. The Lisa Mezzacappa Six has recently performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Angel City Jazz Festival, and SFJAZZ Center. 

Lisa Mezzacappa has been an active part of California’s vibrant music community as a composer, bassist and organizer for more than 15 years. Her music spans ethereal chamber music, electro-acoustic works, avant-garde jazz, music for groups from duo to large ensemble, and collaborations with film, dance, and visual art. Recent projects include Cosmicomics, a suite for electro-acoustic jazz sextet; Organelle, a chamber work for improvisers grounded in scientific processes on micro and cosmic scales; Glorious Ravage, an evening-length song cycle for large ensemble and films drawn from the writings of Victorian lady adventurers; and Touch Bass, a collaboration with choreographer Risa Jaroslow for three dancers and three bassists. She co-leads the duo B. Experimental Band, and is working on a new opera for the digital age, in collaboration with writer Beth Lisick. In addition to leading her own projects in the US and Europe, Mezzacappa has performed as a sideperson with heroes such as Fred Frith, Marco Eneidi, Rhys Chatham, the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Mark Dresser's SIM Bass Ensemble, Nicole Mitchell, Ned Rothenberg, Myra Melford, Vinny Golia and many others.  www.lisamezzacappa.com