Korb and Cosmologic — Relaxed and Swinging at UCSD

Author

By Robert Bush

Publish Date

Jan. 25, 2011

UCSD's music department has been presenting concerts all week featuring returning alumni and staff, including singer and bassist Kristen Korb, who opened Saturday's show, and the creative free-jazz co-op Cosmologic, which closed it. The event was held in the Conrad Prebys Recital Hall for its fine acoustics.

Korb has a beautiful alto voice - relaxed and swinging. Since she performed solo, it was an opportunity to hear her mastery of the double bass. She's got a warm acoustic sound that meshes well with her singing. She opened with "Green Dolphin Street," whipping out deft scat and bass solos. After four short songs, she left the audience calling for more.

Cosmologic features four virtuosic improvisers who understand how to push the envelope. Jason Robinson on saxophone and Michael Dessen on trombone balanced wild interjections with crafty interplay. Nathan Hubbard on drums was a constant blur of percussive motion, and Scott Walton on bass anchored the adventurous work of the others. After the first tune, they invited special guest, UCSD professor and composer Anthony Davis, to sit in on piano, which afforded them the opportunity to explore material similar to Cecil Taylor's landmark Conquistador sessions.