SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Introducing music from Latin America, the inimitable Lou Rawls languidly phrased it best by saying it came from "down South below the border, just below the other border." As a preview of its upcoming Viva la Música festival, the SSO offers a well-crafted program of music by Ginastera, Villa-Lobos, Chávez, and Falla. The must-hear piece is Chávez's Sinfonia India, a delightfully propulsive short symphony. Also Fri April 4 at 8 pm and Sun April 6 at 2 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave & Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $11-$75.
FRIDAY APRIL 4
ERIC GLICK RIEMAN
A master of the prepared Fender Rhodes electric piano, Rieman adorns his instrument with clothespins, metal tines, and other objects to create alluring drones and spidery textures. Why focus on an instrument that hasn't been manufactured in decades? The Bay Area-based composer and improviser observes, "Many of today's musicians only play an instrument until it is outdated by the next technology, never building a relationship with their tools that is anything but superficial." After an opening solo set, seldom-heard Seattle trumpeter Lesli Dalaba, Amy Denio, and instrument inventor Troy Swanson join the fray. Do not miss this gig. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union, 329-4224, 8 pm, $8.
SATURDAY APRIL 5
NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Conductor and violinist Joseph Silverstein leads an all-Baroque program with works by J. S. Bach, Tartini, Handel, LeClair, and Corelli. Also Sun April 6 at 2:30 pm. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third Ave & Union St, 343-0445, 8 pm, $25/$30.
SUNDAY APRIL 6
SUNDAY MATINEE SERIES
This innocuously named new music series presents two unusual performing ensembles, Eveline's Klang Quartet and the Tone Action Orchestra. The EKQ features Eveline Müller-Graf and her home-built Boeing, which consists of pots, bells, saws, and assorted metals. Also on board are electronicist James Drage and the vibraphone duo/duel of Bob Rees and Stuart McLeod. The TAO is a rare behemoth--an outsized, out-jazz big band ensemble. There's not enough room to list the all-star cast, so just show up and dig the maelstrom. CoCA, 1420 11th Ave, 728-1980, 2:30 pm, $5-$15.
MONDAY APRIL 7
DAVID PAUL MESLER
This energetic Seattle composer and pianist plays tunes by Gershwin, Ellington, Bacharach, and others, in styles including the blues, ragtime, stride, swing, ballad, bop, and "assorted Latin grooves." Rainier Tower Lobby, 1333 Fifth Ave, noon, free.
UNITED STATES NAVY BAND
I wanted to mock this gig, but if not for a touring military band, I would never have been born. These groups tend to be top-notch, crackerjack ensembles, too. Although the gig is free, you'll need to call the number below for the address to send an SASE to get tickets--and "unclaimed seats will be available to non-ticket-holders just prior to concert time." And I thought our foreign policy was a mess. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave & Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, free.
