The Far Fringe of Maryland: Hyattsville's Fringe Jazz

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FANS OF FRINGE jazz and folk music will gather in the heart of Hyattsville's Arts District on Saturday, where Artdc Gallery will host an evening of challenging yet charming sounds.

If the weather holds up, A Light Sleeper, an entrancing chamber-pop trio from Chicago, plans to perform al fresco in front of the center and fill the air with its carefree experimental soundtracks.

Born from the looping experiments of singer-guitarist Dheeru Pennepalli — who brought alto saxophonist Maria Elena Hernandez and drummer Matt Jung into the mix — A Light Sleeper uses both acoustic and electronic instrumentation to skillfully layer sounds that create a delectable baklava of melodies, textures and moods.

More studious noisemaking will emanate from the Low End String Quartet, led by local composer-guitarist Jonathan Matis and featuring Baltimore free-jazz giant Vattel Cherry on double bass.

What are a guitar and bass doing in a string quartet, you ask? "Rocking," says Matis.

"If you think string quartets belong in the background at a wedding, then maybe sit this one out," he says. "But if you're open to something a little heavier … we might be the stuff."

Rounding out the bill is folk man Garrett DeVoe, aka Pure Horsehair from Brooklyn, with some country vibes to soothe the city soul.

» Lustine Center, 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md.; Sat. Aug. 22, 7 p.m., pay what you can; 301-209-0116.

Written by Express Johnathan Rickman
Photo courtesy A Light Sleeper