Konk Pack Hits Bread & Salt

A rare U.S. tour brings the group Konk Pack to San Diego.

Fans of free-jazz with a heavy dose of noise factor need to flock to Bread & Salt on Sunday to catch the latest installment of new music champion/concert promoter Bonnie Wright's Fresh Sound  series.

On the bill that night are the European improv trio Konk Pack, featuring Tim Hodgkinson on lap steel and clarinet, Thomas Lehn on analog synthesizer and Roger Turner on drums. These guys specialize in a blistering, high-energy caterwaul that might necessitate earplugs if you're in the front row.

Hodgkinson has performed with Fred Frith. John Zorn and Evan Parker, while Turner has drummed for such legends as Cecil Taylor, Derek Bailey and Barry Guy. Lehn has credits with John Butcher, Jon Rose and Hannes Loschel.

The concert marks a return to form for Wright's Fresh Sound series, following excellent, but rather quiet solo performances by cellist Eric Byer and percussionist Ian David Rosenbaum. Konk Pack has a history with Wright that dates back to their first San Diego show at the now-defunct Spruce Street Forum in 2001.

"They contacted me a few months ago as they were going on a rare U.S. tour," Wright said. "I was thrilled that they were coming our way and said a big yes, as I thought their concert here in 2001 was amazingly good."

I've come to trust the instincts of Ms. Wright when it comes to artists I may know nothing about. My only regrets involving Wright productions are the ones I didn't  attend.

Bread & Salt is located at 1955 Julian Ave. in Barrio Logan. The show begins at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 fior the general public and $10 for students with identification.
 

 Robert Bush Robert Bush is a freelance jazz writer who has been exploring the San Diego improvised music scene for more than 30 years.

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