Regina Carter was presenting material from her current record 'Reverse Thread'. This was a real nice set of African-themed world music featuring Carter herself on violin, Yacouba Sissoko on kora, Will Holshouser on accordion, Chris Lightcap on bass and Alvester Garnett on drums. Some of pieces were really, really nicely done and I particularly enjoyed Holshouser on the accordion.
After the break, Esperanza Spalding come on for her `Chamber Music Society'. Lovely setup with Spalding on acoustic bass and vocals, Leo Genovese on piano/keyboards, Sara Caswell on violin, Lois Martin on viola, Jody Redhage on cello, the always impressice Terry Lyne Carrington on drums and Leala Cyr on backing vocals (and one co-lead in a really nice duet with Spalding). This was clearly more experimental and a chunk of the audience left during the act. But there is room for improvided chamber music, and it was a good modern music act. And Spalding is really quite impressive and I will gladly go and see her again.