Listening to Kane Mathis kora playing brings to mind Keith Jarretts Koln Concert. Their instruments are similar: in Mathis case, the kora is a 21-stringed West African harp that he learned in Gambia. Take the guts out of Jarretts piano, stand them up and pluck them, and you have the same idea. Both performers employ gorgeous improvisation on top of simple rhythms; their songs meander between chord and melody, creating a continuous, crystalline drone. Tonights showwhich also features Portland jazz pianist Andrew Oliveris enough to bring the comparison full circle. In a recent appearance on KEXPs Best Ambiance, Mathis and Olivers duets blended together so seamlessly, it sounded as if one giant 109 stringed harp was being played by a four armed musician; not being able to see who was doing what almost made it more interesting.
Fri., June 19, 9 p.m., 2009
