The Claudia Quintet is a difficult band to categorize. Music critics throw out terms such as jazz-rock, post-rock or “jazz and beyond” to describe them but these labels don’t fully convey the group’s sound. While drummer/band leader John Hollenbeck’s musical background is rooted in jazz (he has performed with a variety of artists such as Fred Hersch, Kenny Wheeler and Bob Brookmeyer), his band easily incorporates elements of electronica, chamber music and world music. The New-York based ensemble was formed in 1997 by Hollenbeck and includes Chris Speed on clarinet/saxophone, Ted Reichman on accordion, Matt Moran on vibraphone and Drew Gress on bass. The quintet’s self-titled album excited jazz listeners in 2002, but their latest album, I, Claudia, has been hailed by some music magazines as one of the best jazz albums in years. One amazon.com reviewer even called it “the first jazz masterpiece of the 21st century.” On the heels of their Monterey Jazz Festival performance, the band will play 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Pine Student Lounge inside the Jot Travis Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students with ID. Call 784-6847.—Kelley Lang
Strike up the band
