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Life & Arts

Local acts rule evening scene

Robert Glasper Trio, Charalambides light up Houston nightlife 
with cool jazz, trippy jams

by RUTHIE RODRIGUEZ
THE DAILY COUGAR

If you're in the mood for a night of laid-back jazz that's not too funky, check out the Robert Glasper Trio in a performance that should yield a solid night of easy-listening jazz. 

Glasper is a 27-year-old Houston-based jazz pianist who has relocated to New York. 

The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts graduate has performed with artists ranging from Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove and Q-Tip to Mos Def. Most of his influences were from hip-hop, r&b and alternative rock. 

As a pianist, Glasper really gets into the flow of songs while dominating the melody with light, syncopated playing in most of his pieces. 

For the most part, the music on Canvas, his latest release with Blue Note, sounds like mainstream jazz -- there isn't a great deal of experimentation by his quartets and trios. 

The pianist likes to flow though his music rather than perform overly arranged pieces. 

The trio also includes Vincente Archer on bass and percussionist Damion Reid. 

The Robert Glasper Trio will perform 7:30 to 10 p.m. tonight at The Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross St. Tickets are $30 and they're selling quickly.

For more information, call (713) 524-5050. 

For a night of all-out jams, witness Charalambides, another band of Houston-based musicians. They will perform tonight at Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh Drive. 

The duo, compromised of guitarists Tom Carter and Christina Carter, borrows elements of psychedelic music while utilizing reverb and extensive instrumental jamming. 

The band also incorporates sounds of American country and blues. 

Doors open at 9 p.m. Charalambides will perform at midnight while multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Tara Jane O'Neil and Shawn McMillen will open starting at 10 p.m. Rudyard's is 21 and up only, so no kiddies. 

For more information, call (713) 521-0521.

If you have an empty slate for tonight don't hesitate to check out these low-key acts while taking a break from your studying.

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