Jack Wright - Jonah Gelbart

These two will be making a Southeast tour in May and June 2026 that will involve collaborations with a variety of musicians in the South: Evan Lipson, Xylon, Charles Chace, and Chris Alford

On Wed. June 3 They'll be playing in Boone NC at Huzzah Books, 114 Clement St., with some local improvisers opening for them and playing in an ensemble. And on June 4 they're in Christiansburg, with Mark Perry, guitarist/songwriter opening for them.

In a whirlwind tour in Jan. 2026 Jack and Jonah met up with Evan, Xylon, Walter Wright, Charles Chace, and David Menestres in Virginia and North Carolina. Some of a duo recording with David is here, and a Jonah-Evan duo is here.

Jack Wright (b. 1942) is a musician described as playing "post-electronic saxophone, and dedicated to to free playing since 1979. Described thirty years ago as an "undergrounder by design," he is a veteran improviser based mainly in Philadelphia. He has played mostly on tour through the US and Europe since the early 80s in search of interesting partners and playing situations. Now at 83 he is still the "Johnny Appleseed of Free Improvisation," as guitarist Davey Williams called him in the 80s, on the road as much as ever. He continues to inspire players outside music-school careerdom, playing sessions with visiting and resident players old and new. His partners over the years are mostly unknown to the music press, and too numerous to mention. He's said to have the widest vocabulary of any saxophonist, including leaping pitches, punchy, precise timing, sharp and intrusive multiphonics, surprising gaps of silence, and obscene animalistic sounds. Apart from interviews, for a true assessment of his and his partners music and for links to his writings (including The Free Musics) go here: Spring Garden Music,

Jonah Gelbart is an improviser, composer, system-builder based in the greater Philadelphia area, playing trumpet and shofar. He plays everything from classical, straight-ahead jazz, new music, to free improvisation. He is currently a member of the Hansen-Protasi Group, the Kitchen Sink ensemble, the (Toshi) Makihara/Allen/Gelbart Trio, and various other temporary musical arrangements. Playing sessions regularly since June 2025 at the Spring Garden Music House in Philadelphia with Jack Wright, saxes, and Henry Allen, guitar.

For bookings: jackwri555 at gmail dot com