It is always welcome when major musicians bring a passion project to a small venue in town. As a founding member of The Bad Plus, Reid Anderson has played major gigs in Richmond before, both during the band’s original piano trio phase and its current piano-less quartet incarnation. At the same time, he established a parallel reputation as a composer with forays into other genres.
The Slow Reactors, who play Gallery5 on Wednesday, is a new electronic music project centered on analog synthesizers, drum machines, guitar and violin. The featured guitarist is Gregg Belisle-Chi, a New York City-based player who came to Richmond last year to play at The Camel in a bracing trio lead by saxophonist Tim Berne; while the violinist is classically trained Kristina Priceman, who is Chicago-based.
Opening the show will be Laura Ann Singh’s adventurous new RVA all-star Fracas Quintet, and recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, guitarist Rinatt Montoya, one of the most interesting young players on the local scene. Anyone who knows who these people are already has a ticket. For those who do not, be prepared for a night of engaging and challengingly unpredictable music.
The Slow Reactors, with the Laura Ann Singh Fracas Quintet and Rinatt Montoya, perform at Gallery 5 on Wednesday, March 5. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7 to 11 p.m.
