William Parker Quintet
May 6. Bassist Parker has been in the spotlight a lot lately, notably for giving a bass to the long-reclusive Henry Grimes, who shot back to prominence almost overnight. Thanks to the Jazz at Bard series, Parker’s quintet will perform “Rocket to the Moon Has Just Injured the Rain God” in the Bertelsmann Campus Center’s multipurpose room. The group will be joined by cellist and Bard student Shiau-Shu Yu. Kudos to Bard alums Raissa St. Pierre (of Dog on Fleas) and Sheila Moloney for producing this series. 8pm. $15 (free for Bard students.) Annandale-on-Hudson. (845) 758-7456.
www.bard.edu/jazzatbard
Joe Giardullo
May 8. Soprano saxophonist Giardullo wows ‘em every time with his free-jazz flights of inspiration. After touring from Poland to Portugal, Giardullo bops back to bless the Poughkeepsie Art Museum. Since his 1979 release Gravity: Music for Creative Chamber Group won four stars in Downbeat magazine, Giardullo’s catalog has grown to include modern masters like Joe McPhee, Marilyn Crispell, and Pauline Oliveros. His playing is fresh and spontaneous yet thoughtful and deeply spiritual. 8pm. $10. Poughkeepsie. (845) 454-0522.
www.joegiardullo.com
Cinco de Mayo
May 8. With respect to our Mexican readers, each year Cinco de Mayo also brings a Latin jazz fiesta to our region. If you were paying attention then you didn’t miss Kingston’s Rondout Latin Jazz Fest. But the following weekend, spend all day in the sun with two great events. In Uptown Kingston, El Rodeo presents their yearly Cinco de Mayo street festival in front of their Crown Street location. Weather permitting, enjoy authentic food, cerveza, and mariachi music all afternoon with no cover charge. After a quick siesta, head to New Paltz and sweat the night away with Sonando at Oasis on Main Street ($6 cover.) Ole! Kingston: 12pm. Call (845) 340-9895. New Paltz: 10pm. Call 255.2400.
www.sonando.net
Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad
May 8. At last the japs and Jewish mothers get to have their say (oy vey, as if this was ever a problem?). For something completely different at the Loft (in the Chance Theater complex) check out NJGGB, a hilarious mix of comedy, spoken word and show-stopping burlesque “from the gals who learned to smoke in Hebrew school, got drunk at their Bat Mitzvahs, and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah.” To paraphrase their Web site, this ain’t your Bubby’s “Fiddler on the Roof.” 8pm. $10. Poughkeepsie. (845) 471-1966.
www.goddessperlman.com
Philip Glass/Prana
May 15. Woodstock’s Karma Triyana Dharmachakra monastery sits on the tip of history, anticipating a visit next year from the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa who escaped Tibet for India in 2000. KktdTD, the North American seat of the Karmapa, fights an uphill battle to improve its facility despite roadblocks from unenlightened locals. At this Bearsville Theater benefit, they get some help from composer/performer Philip Glass. Baird Hersey and his Prana overtone singers open the show. 8pm. Call for tickets. Woodstock. (845) 679-5906.
www.kagyu.org
Vernon Reid’s Masque
May 21. With good vibes and a forthcoming Web presence, Forum Lounge has snagged some impressive acts lately, from reggae star Mad Professor to local heroes the Kiss-Ups. Now Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid brings his “solo” project Masque to the top of Broadway. Masque recorded their debut Known Unknown (Favored Nations) over two years during breaks in Reid’s hectic schedule that included a Living Colour reunion tour. But here expect a return to Reid’s pre-LC roots, with nods to jazz and downtown noise rock. According to Reid, “I think of Masque as a component part of my life’s expression.” (Dub reggae unit TruMystic returns May 14.) 9pm. $10. Kingston. (845) 331-1116.
www.forumlounge.com
