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Guitarist Jeff Parker has been hard at work since early 2016 touring with his long-standing band Tortoise. Hence he hasn’t found many opportunities to perform the music from his highly-successful, eponymous June 2016 International Anthem release The New Breed, regardless of it’s commercial and critical success (the album was included on ‘Best of 2016’ lists by NPR, Observer, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Aquarium Drunkard and Bandcamp). This NYC show at Nu Blu will be just the 4th time Jeff Parker and his band (with Paul Bryan on bass/synths, Josh Johnson on sax/keys, and Jamire Williams on drums) have performed The New Breed live since its release. Additionally, this rare performance at Nu Blu will be an American send-off for Jeff and band, as they embark on European tour April 1st – April 9th. Chicago-born New York-residing trumpeter Jaimie Branch, who has an LP of her own soon-to-be-released on International Anthem, will open the show.

Jaimie Branch official site

A mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene and an active recent addition to the New York scene, Jaimie Branch is an avant-garde trumpeter known for her “ghostly sounds,” says The New York Times, and for “sucker punching” crowds straight from the jump off, says Time Out. Her classical training and “unique voice capable of transforming every ensemble of which she is a part” (Jazz Right Now) has contributed to a wide range of projects not only in jazz but also punk, noise, indie rock, electronic and hip-hop. Branch’s work as a composer and a producer, as well as a sideman for the likes of William Parker, Matana Roberts, TV on the Radio and Spoon, is all on display in her debut record Fly or Die – a dynamic 35-minute ride that dares listeners to open their minds to music that knows no genre, no gender, no limits.

“It’s a true joy to listen to Jaimie Branch’s Fly or Die. Jaimie’s masterful trumpet playing sits at the helm of this gorgeous record, richly supported by a stellar cast of musicians, and upheld by strong and provocative composition.” – Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire)

“Super out tunes that continually open new doors to strange, sweet, and psychedelic grooves. Band is constantly cracking some ancient alien code here. Seamless and effortless compositions from Branch. An absolute “must jam” for anyone interested in the future of mind expansion.” – Ryley Walker