CAPATOSTA TRIO
Tim Berne, Gregg Belisle-Chi, Tom Rainey
The Jazz Gallery1160 Broadway, New York 10001
Capatosta brings Tim Berne’s saxophone, Gregg Belisle-Chi’s guitar and Tom Rainey’s drums together for a trio set built around Berne’s compositions and collective improvisation. The group works without a conventional rhythm-section setup, treating its pieces as flexible structures for close, forceful exchanges. Rainey is a long-time Berne collaborator.
The trio grew from Belisle-Chi’s 2021 album KOI, which reworked Berne tunes for guitar. Jazzfest Berlin called Capatosta Berne’s “searing new trio,” with the musicians weaving “dense interlocking melodic threads of steadily shifting sound”; critic Hank Shteamer has described its “telepathic chemistry.” Their music is documented on Yikes Too.
The Jazz Gallery offers a focused listening room experience on the fifth floor of a Midtown office building, where the audience gathers to hear progressive jazz performed by emerging and established artists. The space is designed to highlight the music without distractions: seating is arranged to bring listeners close to the performers, fostering a direct connection with the sound. There is no food service, but a bar is available, and ticket prices are modest, encouraging accessibility. Shows typically run from 7 to 11 pm on select nights, featuring multiple sets that invite deep engagement rather than casual socializing. The venue’s commitment to artistic growth is evident in its support for new compositions and collaborations, making an evening here a chance to witness jazz as a living, evolving art form in a setting that respects both the musicians and the audience.