Backbone > Ear Whacks
Nightlife Highlights 6-03
by DJ Wavy Davy

Marilyn Crispell
June 5. Despite the odds, The Uptown’s Thursday “Free Jazz” series keeps improv on the front burner once-a-week. Pianist Marilyn Crispell, a New England Conservatory graduate, changed her tune the first time she heard Cecil Taylor. Her Web site discography reads like a “who’s-who” of free jazz, including a recording on stage with Taylor himself. Thursday Joe Giardullo joins Crispell on reeds with the sublime Tani Tabbal on drums. (Harvey Kaiser’s The Kansas City Sound rolls in June 14.) 8:30PM. $10. Kingston. 339-8440 www.marilyncrispell.com.

Matt Turk
June 7. Where has this guy been? If you said, “touring, duh!” then step to the head of the class. Here’s a “got-it-all” performer with great guitar chops, fine voice, and most importantly, a hip logo. Seriously, Turk is the type of artist, like Elza, who is this close to making it big. So before that happens, see him in person at the intimate Cubbyhole Coffeehouse near Vassar College and turn-on to tunes like “You are the One” and “Hobo Boy” from his new CD “What Gives”. 9pm. $3. Poughkeepsie. 483-7584.
www.turktunes.com.

Beck
June 8. In June SPAC hosts the ever-funky Freihofer’s Jazz Festival (27 & 28), but heads will turn out to see their man Beck play his hits (as promised by the ads, so it must be true) and not just his new, low-key ballads. If the band is as tight as on his Midnight Vultures tour, fans can still expect a bad mother…shut your mouth, I’m talking ‘bout Beck! For on this show or the other choice rock shows this month, including The Dead on June 20, and Santana with Angelique Kidjo on June 22, don’t go to SPAC’s Web site, but try the concert site at www.saratogaconcerts.com.) 8PM. All seats $42.50. Saratoga. (518) 583-8998.

Gail Ann Dorsey
June 20. Anyone who hasn’t seen Ulster resident Gail Ann Dorsey perform by now should be ashamed of himself. She is talent personified. Whether crooning her own ballads with guitar and piano, accompanying the Chanteuse Club, or touring on bass/vocals with David Bowie (she duets the classic “Under Pressure” with the Thin White Duke.) Catch her at one of her fave venues, the happening Hudson River Theatre, the night before she returns to the road. 9PM. $15. Hudson. (518) 822-8189.
hudsonrivertheatre.com.

Project Mercury
June 14. This unique female-fronted act plays a blend of blues, rock and anti-folk with themes the guys don’t always fathom (“faded leather, and a certain attitude, just enough to get me through the night”). Supporting their self-produced debut “Light This Candle,” Project Mercury takes the stage at the mercurial new coffeehouse on Main Street in Beacon, chThonic Clash (the first “ch” is silent, www.chthonicclash.com). This venue made an immediate impact on the singer-songwriter scene, so tune-up your guitars as they light up Beacon. 9PM. No cover. 831-0359.
www.projectmercury.com.

Leopard Studio CD release party
June 21. Hipster-dude Jimi Leopard moved to Ulster County from the East Village after recording the Strokes’ mega-debut at his previous studio. Now the country gentleman is the power-pop darling of local bands, recording The Kiss-Ups (currently on tour with hot new act Kitty Little), The Rules and NYC bands like Crimson Sweet and Pneumatic. Some or all will attempt to play at the release party for Leopard Studio’s first compilation CD of recent recordings. Oasis welcomes him like a returning hero, or actually, like a newfound friend. 6PM. $4. New Paltz. 255-2400.
www.leopardstudio.com.

Heinzevino!
June 26. The Hudson Valley’s keepers of Americana music hold court every other Thursday at Gadaleto’s “American Fishhouse and Bandstand.” And for good reason. The acoustic-based trio, featuring Jeff Anzevino on resonator slide guitar, Rich Heinz on guitar/lead vocals and Rusty “The Rocket” Boris ripping the stand-up bass, defines “feel-good” music. When they play at Gadeleto’s, just try not smiling with your mouth full of calamari salad. (Alternating Thursdays include Studio Stu’s Duo Loco, and others.) 6PM. No cover. New Paltz. 255-1717.
—Wavy Davy