Bobby Previte hoto by Daniel Sheehan

New York-based drummer Bobby Previte first brought his transcriptions of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew-era psychedelia to NYC’s Knitting Factory with the weekly Voodoo Orchestra 15 years ago. Now Davis’ seductively brooding electric music is resurrected with a cast of seasoned Seattle pros:

Saxophones Neil Welch, Kate Olson, bass clarinet Beth Fleenor, French horn Tom Varner, electric bass Keith Lowe, string bass Geoff Harper, Fender Rhodes Ryan Burns, keys Wayne Horvitz, B-3 organ Joe Doria, electric guitar Tim Young and percussion Jeff Busch.

Under Previte’s direction from the drums, the pieces often progress at differently than what Davis devotees are accustomed to. His Voodoo Orchestra West conjures the source material’s spirit and atmosphere; they play as themselves in Davis’ court, rather than simply emulating the sidemen on the original records. That allows a freedom to uncover their own starts, stops and melodies.

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Opening this performance is the Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble, a conduction group led by Wayne Horvitz, featuring many of the same musicians as the Voodoo Orchestra: drums Bobby Previte, saxophones Greg Sinibaldi, Neil Welch, Kate Olson, bass clarinet Beth Fleenor, trumpets Al Keith, Samantha Boshnack, Steve O’Brien, trombones Naomi Siege, Jacob Herring, French horn Tom Varner, string bass Geoff Harper and piano Ryan Burns.

Wayne Horvitz photo by Daniel Sheehan

The Royal Room Collective operates around a unique system of instant arranging fueled by musical symbols that Horvitz newly created specifically for this music.

– NB