I'm only just a little bit sleep-deprived, so I was able to make it almost all the way through another full night of jazz. I'll be keeping my comments brief tonight in the hope of heading off to bed shortly. You should keep an eye out for more detail to come from Seth, Greg, and (now that she has had her internet access restored) maybe even Jane.

I met the gang in line to see the Fred Hersch Trio at Kilbourn Hall and the show was quite a treat. I thought my night was in jeopardy, when after downing a beer and a chicken sandwich prior to the show, I struggled to keep my eyes open through the first couple of tunes. I woke right up when Hersch shifted gears and the group blazed through an Ornette Coleman tune followed by a Thelonious Monk tune that started off sounding as if Hersch was channeling Webern or Berg. Through the rest of the set, I was enthralled by the complexity of the music and the interplay between Hersch and bassist Drew Gress and drummer Nasheet Waits.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Reformation Lutheran Church once again, this time to see the more avante-garde music of Lotte Anker. I was totally impressed by the size of the crowd that filled the church for what I expected to be some rather challenging free jazz. And I was certainly challenged. After 45 minutes, we had heard two long and completely improvised pieces of music which had me alternately enthralled and confused. There was enough there that spoke to me that I could have stayed to the end, but we ended up joining an (unfortunately large) exodus of listeners and parted ways with Greg as we split up to hear different acts.

Mr Something Something was next on the bill and they were, ummm, something. This African-influnced party band couldn't have been much more of a departure from the free, idiosyncratic jazz of Anker. It took me a few minutes to get into the new groove, but once I was there I stayed with them to the end, when we promptly split to secure a seat to see the vibraphonist Lalo.

Unfortunately, tables we already in short supply when we arrived, and we had to make do with seats near the door. Despite the noise from the street whenever someone entered or left, and despite the people milling around or standing directly in front of where we were sitting, I could certainly appreciate the music. The vibraphone is one of those instruments that I don't quite “get”. It baffles me how someone can hold two mallets in each hand and still control them well enough to hit perfect notes and chords every time. I was astonished when I watched Lalo do this with impeccable timing and creativity. Paired with slide guitarist Jack West, the duo produced music that juxtaposed driving grooves with airy soundscapes to devastating effect.

The long night on Saturday had taken its toll, though and I had to head home before the end of the set. So no podcast for Sunday, but check out the Saturday night podcast in which Greg tells of doing battle with the Los Lonely Boys horde and surviving to tell the tale, Seth tries out a couple of different ways to pronounce “Goudie”, and I struggle to find the words to describe the Stephane Wrembel Trio.

Tomorrow night's must see: Midaircondo. Possibly also Mamadou Diabate and/or Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks