German-born, London-based Laubrock and Rainey are two thirds of the trio who have recorded Sleepthief (Intakt, 2008), which is to be released on 8 September (and will be reviewed on AAJ on 1 September).
Word is that Sleepthief is a paradigm-shifting set on which Laubrock--enabled by Rainey and pianist Liam Noble--has written what amount to new languages for the tenor and soprano saxophones.
Laubrock's recording career began eleven years ago with Who Is It? (Candid, 1997), a relatively conventional set, and moved into fresh minted territory two albums later with Forensic (F-ire, 2004). The disc marked her emergence as a composer and bandleader of singular character, and with Barry Green and Sebastian Rochford replacing original pianist Karim Merchant and drummer Tom Skinner, the band was perhaps the most consistently thrilling live outfit on the British live circuit in 2005/06--even if Rochford's Polar Bear, with whom Laubrock guested on Held On The Tips Of Fingers (Babel, 2005), picked up more column inches. Her playing partnership with Rainey goes back several years.
The Bay area gigs are rare US live performances by Laubrock.
The 21 Grand is at 416 25th Street @ Broadway, near 19th Street, Oakland.
The Java Lounge is at 2416 16th Street, Sacramento.
For more information contact All About Jazz.