Jeb Bishop Trio

Before Jeb Bishop became an internationally known jazzman, he raged in Raleigh’s ’80s punk scene. He had studied classical trombone while in school at Northwestern University for two years, but it hadn’t kicked in as his true voice yet. So he came back to Raleigh and joined hardcore band Stillborn Christians (who appeared on the famed local comp “Why Are We Here?” with Corrosion of Conformity) and Angels of Epistemology, where he rooted around on guitar, bass or whatever.

When he returned to Chicago years later, he joined free-wheeling skronk-punk outfit The Flying Luttenbachers and moved through the city’s avant-garde jazz circles. Now he’s approaching 20 years as an improviser there. During the decade in which he was a founding member of the Vandermark Five, he also played with the Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet, and his own Jeb Bishop Trio. He continues to explore in The Engines with other Chi-town luminaries saxophonist Dave Rempis, bassist Nate McBride and drummer Tim Daisy. Among many other records, he cut two albums for Merge Records honcho and  jazz fan Mac McCaughan’s label, Wobbly Rail: a solo record, 98 Duets, and a collaboration with Sebi Tramontana, Chicago Defenders. 

With its sputtering vibrato, there’s something about the trombone that can feel earthy. When Bishop blows, that ragged familiarity slides into guises other horns won’t fit. He brings the trombone fully into the free jazz mode, where it sticks out beautifully, since most of that genre finds its leads in saxophones and trumpets. When Bishop returns to the area, with a trio that includes Frank Rosaly on drums and Jason Roebke on bass, expect to hear the horn’s full beauty brought to bear onstage.—Chris Toenes