FRED FRITH
Along with Derek Bailey, John McLaughlin, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and Charlie Christian, Fred Frith is one of the seminal guitarists of the 20th century. Frith's unusual preparations (nestling household objects between the strings, applying an eggbeater to extract silken textures) and his astounding ear for new timbres paved the way for an entire generation of improvising guitarists. For Friday's show Frith goes all-acoustic; on Saturday he explores the frontiers of electric guitar. Show up early: This gig will likely sell out. Also Sat Nov 15. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, $12.
STANDARDS TRIO
Three master musicians--pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Gary Peacock, and drummer Jack DeJohnette--play standards, and, if we're lucky, launch into some free improv. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 547-9787, 8 pm, $29-$75.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15
RACHEL'S
If the Kronos Quartet were a rock band, they'd sound like Rachel's. I'm still befuddled by this group's mixture of indie rock, found sounds, classical chamber music, field recordings, and other sonic strangeness, but I know I like it. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888, 9 pm, $15.
BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL
Local jazzmen invade Ballard and set up shop at the Conor Byrne Pub, the Lock & Keel Tavern, the Old Town Ale House, Bop Street Records, Bad Albert's Tap & Grill, and even commandeer the Olympic Health Club. Swig a pint or three and check out Matt Jorgensen + 451, Jay Thomas, Upper Left Trio, the Ben Thomas Group, and others. Various venues along Ballard Ave, 866-468-7623, 9:30 pm, $12.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16
SORELLE
This chamber group performs Roussel's Deux Poèmes de Ronsard, Cowell's Vocalise, Martinu's rhythmically frisky Trio, and the premiere of Four Retablos by John Beeman. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St, 985-7003, 3 pm, $10/$15.
ORCHESTRA SEATTLE
I've listened to Ravel's immortal Bolero not dozens but hundreds and hundreds of times. I remember one afternoon I listened to that damn ditty 20 times in a row and still loved it. Besides Bolero, Orchestra Seattle also tackles Beethoven's Violin Concerto op. 61, with Northwest Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi as the soloist. They're also doing Haydn's Symphony No. 70, which probably has a witty nickname like "The Larch" or something like that. Meany Theater, UW campus, 682-5208, 3 pm, $14-$25.
SEATTLE CHAMBER PLAYERS
How the SCP keeps gobbling up more savory contemporary classical fare is beyond me. How can I complain about a program that includes pieces by Morton Feldman, the late Lou Harrison, Aaron Jay Kernis, and James Tenney? I can't. Pre-concert talk starts at 6:15 pm. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third Ave and Union St, 286-5052, 7 pm, $12-$20.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 17
SOUND OF THE BRUSH
Trumpeter Ahamefule J. Oluo and Co. offer up a program titled "Experiments in Standard Repertoire." The second set is an open-to-all-comers mix 'n' match improvisation. CoCA, 1420 11th Ave, 728-1980, 8:30 pm, donation requested.
