Jasper Marsalis’s Slauson Malone 1 performance was booked for two shows at the Park Avenue Armory, and based on what I overheard from a self-described friend of Jasper sitting behind me Marsalis was “so much more dialed in” on the second night. It was fascinating to watch him so close up and at times — with his eyes closed and his feet in socks on a Persian rug — it felt almost too intimate, like we had intruded on sonic experimentation in his bedroom.

He answered questions i never considered [What happens when you take a cello bow to an electric guitar?], asked questions with no answers at all [What time is it?], and left me with questions of my own [How much of what I think I like about music is just me opting for the familiar again and again?]

I’m also curious how he ties his interests across mediums (he acts and makes visual art as well). I look forward to the younger Marsalis’s next performance in NYC to discover recurring themes in his work. In the meantime, we can all listen on streaming platforms. Special shout out to the Park Avenue Armory for inviting me to the show as press for their Artists Studio series.