Open Sound: Spin Cycle

Since 2014, contemporary jazz band has been bringing their original creations to the music world. Co-lead by Scott Neumann and Tom Christensen, Spin Cycle is a great place to highlight their flexibility and reach—and their capacity for surprise. On any given song, you might encounter the modal influence of John Coltrane, the second-line funk of New Orleans, and/or the edgy experimentation of free jazz.

Featuring guitarist Pete McCann and bassist Matt Pavolka, both who are bandleaders and well-respected artists on their respective instruments, Spin Cycle has spent their time since their inception touring and recording. With three recordings under their belt, and a fourth on the way, Spin Cycle has taken their original music to venues, festivals and educational institutions stretching from the Mid-Atlantic, west to the Midwest and north up into Canada.

There is, to be sure, plenty of musical comfort food provided by Spin Cycle, with compositions by Christensen, a consummate multi-instrumentalist who mostly plays tenor saxophone, and by Neumann a versatile and expressive drummer as well. Having performed in all kinds of settings including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Mandolin Project, the Gil Evans Project, Madeleine Peyroux’s touring group, Broadway pit bands—and Cheap Trick—the co-leaders know how to dig deep, swing hard and also touch on the intimacy and introspection of a ballad.

is a weekly music series taking place on summer Wednesday evenings at 7pm at Open Source Gallery, 306 17th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Formerly called “Quarantine Jams,” the series began in 2020 when indoor spaces were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Curated by Lily White, Open Sound features a variety of musicians and genres. These weekly performances attract members of the neighborhood of all ages and backgrounds and dancing is strongly encouraged!

Also check out other Music events in Brooklyn, Entertainment events in Brooklyn, Concerts in Brooklyn.