Pianist, composer, and improviser Motoko Honda is a musical force of nature who blends jazz with chamber music, electronic music, and the sounds of music from around the globe. Long a vital part of the improvised-music community, Honda has collaborated with many luminaries, such as Wadada Leo Smith, Elliott Sharp, William Winant, Mike Watt, and others. The “keyboard alchemist” (Los Angeles Times) leads her quartet through intricate compositions that layer taut rhythms and lush melodies. The band features some of Northern California’s most inventive, versatile sidemen, including Cory Wright on woodwinds, Miles Wick on acoustic bass, and Jordan Glenn on drums.

For more info: https://jazzintheneighborhood.org/motoko-hondas-simple-excesses-quartet/

California Jazz Conservatory (2087 Addison St, Berkeley, California 94704)