The 24-year-old composer/multireed player has billed Wednesday's presentation as "A Smorgasbord of Improvisation" with good reason. The event will showcase nearly three dozen local musicians, in a variety of configurations, and feature some of the scene's mightiest up-and-comers (Ashley Adams, Matt Ingalls, Brian Kane) alongside a smattering of seasoned "elders" (Dan Plonsey, Graham Connah). The concert intends to juxtapose a virtual smorgasbord of self-described "acoustic and electric, orchestral and non-European, homemade and found instruments of every type."
The show is also Rosenberg's farewell to San Francisco before trying out his chops in NYC for a few months, and then sojourning in Europe to see if the Continent's fantasy-land rep holds true for jazz hopefuls in 1997. While the artist's own improvs sometimes lack the full-throttle development of more dangerous players, his dedication to provocation and scene solidarity places him at the forefront of the current wave. And that willingness to pull together and push beyond will be sorely missed in the months to come.
-- Sam Prestianni
"A Smorgasbord of Improvisation" occurs on Wednesday, May 28, at 9 p.m. at the Crucible Steel Gallery, 2050 Bryant (between 18th and 19th streets). Tickets are $5-7; call 621-3453.
