THURSDAY MAY 26
PAUL RUCKER
An unusual retrospective of this bassist/cellist/composer. Rucker's Wall of Pieces encapsulates the last quarter century of his work in 88 drawings. Each image corresponds to a note on a MIDI keyboard which when pressed triggers a short piece. Hear one, all, or any combination of Rucker's compositions in succession or simultaneously. Through Sun May 29. Priceless Works Gallery, 619 N 35th St, 349-9943, noon-6 pm, free.
BILL FRISELL
This musically omnivorous guitarist deconstructs the classic organ trio format with drummer Brian Blade and Hammond B-3 organist Sam Yahel. Blade, an impeccably eclectic drummer, meshes well with Yahel, who not only consistently finds a crevice to comp in, but adorns the edges of the music with sustained percolating chords reminiscent of the underappreciated Larry Young. Recommended. Also Fri and Sat May 27 and 28; Sun May 29 has earlier sets at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, sets at 7:30 and 9:30 pm, $21.50-$23.50.
NEAL MEYER
Neal Meyer reprises Gradus, his epic solo piano piece that humbly obsesses on the note "A" within a labyrinth of seemingly eternal silences and ambient sound. When I recall the bravest and most memorable gigs of 2004, Gradus hovers near the top of my list. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 322-1533, 8 pm, $5-$15 sliding scale donation.
SATURDAY MAY 28
BINAREALITY II
Curator Jeth Rollins Odom presents electroacoustic compositions encompassing "virtual orchestral" music, soundscape composition, live interactive video, and frenzied plunderphonic sound collage. This year's lineup: Gamelan Pacifica honcho Jarrad Powell, Christopher Penrose (creator of the 1993 classic "Manwich"), Steve Layton (who experimented with skipping CDs in the 1980s), Bonnie Miksch, and yours truly. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 322-1533, 8 pm, $5-$15 sliding scale donation.
MONDAY MAY 30
MATT JORGENSEN +451
A sleek quartet propelled by Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen and Ryan Burns on Fender Rhodes electric piano. Burns' concoction of mysterioso fizzing and burbling adds menace to many of the group's tunes, especially their now-signature cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter." The Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333, 9 pm, free.
TUESDAY MAY 31
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Decades ago when record companies consistently recorded American orchestras, Cleveland ranked as one of the "Big Five" on par with the orchestras of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston. Today, infrequent recordings make ranking difficult, but the Clevelanders still kick ass. Franz Welser-Möst leads the band in Ravel's showpiece Alborade del gracioso, Dvorák's Symphony No. 5, and Bartók's still-studly Concerto for Orchestra. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $26-$92.
PK'S LAB
In this biweekly series, bassist PK explores the seldom-visited terrain shared by propulsive grooves and scorching freely improvised music. This time he's joined by out-jazz drummer Matt Crane of noise barrage trio BNSF. The pair tore it up at the Seamonster Lounge several months ago, so count on unusual grooves and dramatic eruptions. Mr. Spots Chai House, 5463 Leary Way, 297-2424, 8 pm, free.
