Articles by Robert Bellafiore
The Bad Plus at The Hamilton Live
by Robert Bellafiore
The Bad Plus The Hamilton Live Washington, DC November 9, 2025 The ancient paradox known as the Ship of Theseus poses a philosophical riddle: if every piece of a ship is gradually replaced until no original components remain, is it still the same ship, or has it transformed into something else entirely? Is a thing defined by its collective parts, or by some deeper essence? This is the question raised by The Bad ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride and Brad Mehldau at The Clarice
by Robert Bellafiore
Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau The Clarice College Park, MDOctober 2, 2025 Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau made it to the top of their game together, each helping the other rise from promising talent in early '90s New York City to modern king of the bass and piano, respectively. Now, they can afford to take an occasional look back, reuniting with former colleagues and digging up old tunes. This retrospective mindset has given ...
Continue ReadingSullivan Fortner Trio at Blues Alley
by Robert Bellafiore
Sullivan Fortner Trio Blues Alley Washington, DC January 14, 2025 There are two sides to pianist Sullivan Fortner's playing, at least. There's Fortner the neo-traditionalist, bringing stride piano into the 21st century and taking more inspiration from old giants like Willie “The Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson than, say, Bill Evans or Keith Jarrett. So far, his discography as a leader has tended to showcase the elegance and whimsy of Fortner No. 1--for example, ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell Trio at Blues Alley
by Robert Bellafiore
Bill Frisell Trio Blues Alley Washington, DC November 21, 2024 With each decade, Bill Frisell's guitarwork gets rawer, more direct--and better. Whereas his classic 1980s albums could feature irregular instrumentation, such as Rambler's (ECM) tuba and flugelhorn, or atmospheric musings as on In Line (ECM), today Frisell tends to follow the “KISS principle": keep it simple, stupid. In his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston, Frisell focuses on wringing every last drop ...
Continue ReadingSimon Moullier at Takoma Station Tavern
by Robert Bellafiore
Simon Moullier Takoma Station Tavern Washington, DC October 5, 2024 Vibraphonist Simon Moullier was honest with his uncertainty about what was about to happen: “I met these musicians for the first time two hours ago." But the audience at Takoma Station witnessing his Washington, DC debut had nothing to worry about. The challenge, and the thrill, of performing with strangers--pianist Janelle Gill, bassist Obasi Akoto, and drummer Lenny Robinson--made for two outstanding sets of standards ...
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