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European fans of the Ivo Perelman – Matthew Shipp Duo are in for exciting times in 2017 as the long lasting duo will be embarking on their first tour of major European cities. Some of the so far confirmed cities include Amsterdam (Holland) and Vienna (Austria).

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Following their November 2015 European Tour and several subsequent Bay Area events and rehearsals, the four gentleman are back out on the road this month to what one could call a "Rova Fest," starting on Sun, Jan 17 with Electric Ascension featuring Nels Cline at Le Poisson Rouge — presented by NYC' Winter Jazzfest, and concluding a week later, on Sun, Jan 24, with the quartet performing some seminal and transitional works at The Stone.

Pleased to welcome Arashi to Kato Bookbird's roster! Arashi (Akira Sakata, Johan Berthling, Paal Nilssen-Love) had it's debut during Molde Jazzfestival in July 2013 and entered the studio just a few days later to record the album "Arashi," released on Trost Records on both CD and vinyl. The music is improvised and of high energy. All three players are known for their stamina and will to push themselves and the music beyond traditional boundaries.

Shipp, a mainstay of New York's downtown free jazz scene, likes big blocky chords and loud piano sounds. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the new album by the Matthew Shipp trio is "heavy in a good way."

Following the release of their debut album "Songs From The Big Book Of Love" and it's cassette companion "Hash Eaters & Peacekeepers" on Pink Palace Records this May, Michael Zerang & The Blue Lights (European Edition) are heading to Germany, Poland & Austria next month to present Zerang's original compositions written for this brand new band, plus arrangements of Middle Eastern tunes that inspired him in his youth.