Thad Bailey-Mai plays c.a.f.f. at UNIT/PITT
Calling All Friendly Faces, curated by Ben Frost, has been a small experimental gallery series in winter and spring
"I'm gonna hope that this next one works," trumpeter and composer Thad Bailey-Mai said to the audience before blowing soft air into his mouthpiece, awaiting a response from his electronics. His two sets with Thomas Hoeller on guitar and Kevin Romain on drums at the UNIT/PITT Gallery, 2954 West 4th Avenue, on Tuesday, April 7th were a slow-burning experiment.
No response came through the stereo speakers from the computer. "Maybe it won't work," Thad laughed with the audience. Then it worked; the breaths looped into a beat with octaved horn and guitar dancing atop.
Anyone who enjoyed the concert I wrote about in the previous Subscriber Friday would like this one too. The self-echoes, the stacked flugelhorn harmonies, and whatever Thad was doing with his foot pedal made for an eclectic improv soundscape. Loudness came from the buildup of his loops and playback. Before starting the last of the five pieces, he drew waves with his arm, seeming to indicate that the band should play in the shape of waves.
