CHES SMITH 'CLONE ROW'
PROJAZZ@GR8
Thursday, March 12, 2026

Drummer and composer Ches Smith is considered one of the most idiosyncratic voices in contemporary improvised music. With his recent album Clone Row, he firmly establishes himself as a composer with a distinctly unique signature. His work reflects influences from collaborations with greats like John Zorn and Tim Berne , but always translated into a completely personal sound. Guitarist Marc Ribot describes Smith as "a gifted new voice with a significant vision."

For Clone Row, Ches Smith surrounds himself with three musicians who have each made their mark on the international jazz and experimental music scene. Mary Halvorson and Liberty Ellman are among the most distinctive guitarists of our time. Halvorson can frequently be heard with her own ensembles, while Ellman has played with the bands of Henry Threadgill and Myra Melford, among others. Bassist Nick Dunston, known for collaborations with Dave Douglas and Vijay Iyer, among others, completes the quartet.

Together, these four musicians create music that balances between composition and improvisation. The two guitarists swirl, echo, and mirror each other, while bass and drums simultaneously provide a sense of security and constantly build the tension. Acoustic instruments are augmented by electronics: drum machines alongside acoustic drums, low-tuned analog synths alongside double bass, and live-manipulated digital samples and loops.

The result is an energetic and adventurous soundscape in which coherence and chaos are in constant conversation with each other, carried by the audible chemistry of long-standing friendships and shared musical curiosity.