TIM BERNE SNAKEOIL

With his DIY approach, Berne inspires New York’s improvising musicians. His bands functioned as springboards for many new talents. Such players as Joey Baron, Bill Frisell and Jim Black all become known thanks to Berne. Listening to Berne is exciting, because his pieces all contain surprising changes. In Snakeoil his raw alto sax converges with Oscar Noriega’s bass clarinet. Their hypnotic melodies are challenged by the whimsical piano playing of Matt Mitchell and the richly varied percussion of Ches Smith. The Snakeoil CD is released by ECM.