Jim Witzel, guitar.
Adam Shulman, organ.
Jason Lewis, drums.

$20 suggested donation, byob.
$10 for students and musicians, kids free.

“Jim Witzel has a warmth to his style and a precise technique that brings clarity to any melody before exploding with improvisation.” — LA Jazz Scene.

This evening, Jim Witzel brings a trio to explore the tunes on his new album, “Breaking Through Gently.”

Jim professes a fondness for the open sound and texture of the recordings released by the ECM label beginning in the early 1970s, and “Breaking Through Gently” represents a shift from the blues-based, hard bop feel of much of his earlier work.

On the album, Jim is joined by his old friend, the Grammy winning pianist Phil Aaron, with whom he co-led the band Hyperion in Los Angeles a few decades ago, along with Bay Area colleagues Dan Feiszli on bass and Jason Lewis on drums. “Breaking Through Gently” comprises four originals by Jim and three by Phil, plus a take on Paul Simon’s tune, “Old Friends.”

Aaron is based in Minneapolis now and not able to come out for this cd release concert and Dan has other commitments, but organ wiz Adam Shulman will step in this evening to handle their roles and add his own unique dimension to the music. Jason, on drums, was at the core of the recording, and is always a delight to hear.

The trio of Jim, Adam and Jason promises a beautiful evocation of the material from the album.

“Breaking Through Gently” will be available at the show on cd, and can already be streamed on all major digital/streaming outlets. Downloads are available for streaming on all of the major digital/streaming outlets; downloads are available for sale at joplinandsweeney.com/music.