One indication of the vitality of music in a city is the different kinds of musical subcultures. Meeting one new person in a city this size can take you into a whole new world. I am involved in both Folk and Avant-garde music and find a very interesting cross pollination between the two. A genre that seems weak here is Jazz, I am a bit surprised by that.

dB, you should check out my friend Al Basile, who is an extremely talented jazz trumpeter, and gigs with Swing n' Strings around the city-state. Theoretical physicist turned musician, he's the real deal - google-able if you're interested.

Thanks for posting the article Jack and for the head's up. As a(n aspiring) jazz musician one of the things I notice w/r/t music's impact on the local economy is the opportunity that playing with other people creates for building bridging social capital. While jazz musicians share a common interest in improvising over a form, that's usually about all they have in common. But that common interest is enough to pull together groups of players with very, very different backgrounds and social networks. Some guys say music happens between the notes. I'd also add that some really intersting social networks intersect between sets.

Good stuff, Jim - any RI Jazz artists / venues you'd recommend from your days jamming in PVD?

@jack

most of the best playing I heard or participated in while living in providence took place in people's living rooms or basements. There were one or two places where you could go to hear jazz (cav and taza i think). But there didn't seem to be any place that functioned as a social hub for a cohesive jazz community in PVD (unless you count the living rooms of various players who would host sessions).

Looks like there's a jazz evening coming up at Firehouse 13. Jan 11

In/Out improvised music series is an evening of original jazz and improvised music. Presented in a workshop style setting, the focus of the series is to present both composed and fully improvised music structures using various sized ensembles. Large group pieces as well as single solo performances will make up each evenings program. Featured guest musicians from Boston, NYC and Europe will contribute their own musical voice and provide a slightly different interpretation and perspective on improvised music.

http://www.firehouse13.org/med...