Friday, July 25-Sunday, July 27
William Parker and Patricia Nicholson Duo

Avant-gard e+ jazz = avantJazz. A musical medley of improvisation and composition crafts this genre, making its way to Buffalo, in the form of Bronx-born jazz musician and composer William Parker. In a co-production with Hallwalls, Parker will bring his free-sounding jazz music to the Alt Theatre this week in a collaboration with dancer and choreographer Patricia Nicholson. Parker, whom the Boston Globe has called “the most important leader of the current avant-garde scene in jazz,” last shared his talent with WNY in 2006 with his composition for dance and jazz ensemble, “Looking for Cookie Gilchrist.” The intimate performance will incorporate dance by the Patricia Nicholson Duo, also of New York City, as well as local talent: Joining in the second act of the show are Buffalo natives Ravi Padmanabha (on percussion) Steve Baczkowski (woodwinds), and dancers Amy Taravella (founder of ALT Theater) and the New Alt Performance Group. Having released more than 20 albums and five books, Parker has nurtured a genre of which some are, thus far, unaware. Become acquainted with avantJazz and be entertained.

—mallory passuite

8pm. ALT Theatre, 255 Great Arrow Ave., 3rd Floor (868-6847)