As an operating rule, the Civic Minded 5 don’t do anything unless it’s really worth doing. Even so, 2020 will go down as a banner year for the Orlando art-music impresarios with a high-powered salvo of concerts already in the chamber. For your schedule-making purposes, the next big-name ones will be Full Blast – the free-jazz wrecking crew of Peter Brötzmann, Marino Pliakas and Michael Wertmüller – on May 6 and legendary tape-music pioneer Terry Riley with son Gyan Riley on Oct. 25, both at Timucua.
The Fictive Five at Timucua Credit: Greg Leibowitz
The first of this sterling hat trick of special engagements was the recent show by the Fictive Five, the jazz group headed by accomplished American avant-garde saxophonist Larry Ochs. Technically, this was the quartet version they humorously self-refer to as the “Fictive Five (Less One Live),” comprised of Ochs, trumpeter Nate Wooley, bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Harris Eisenstadt.
Larry Ochs of the Fictive Five Credit: Photo by Matthew Moyer
The Fictive Five at Timucua Credit: Bao Le-Huu
Although their interplay had all the requisite tension and restlessness of improvisation jazz, this group doesn’t operate totally out in the wilds like some free-jazz outfits. Across three sprawling pieces, the performance was a dance between spontaneity and composition. Pockets were plenty for extempore expression from each of the players, all of whom showed chops of skillful adventure. But there was structure, and Ochs directed it all like a mid-game baseball coach.
The Fictive Five at Timucua Credit: Bao Le-Huu
Moreover, their vocabulary can carry more palpable swing and dash than other free contemporaries, enough for more traditional jazz heads to wrap around. Taken together, the Fictive Five are proof that creative daring need not necessarily be painfully esoteric.
Nate Wooley of the Fictive Five Credit: Photo by Matthew Moyer
The Fictive Five at Timucua Credit: Bao Le-Huu
Besides the onstage action, however, there are some venue improvements worth noting. First, there’s now an ADA-compliant sink in the first-floor restroom.
Timucua Credit: Bao Le-Huu
But also, Timucua did a significant seating upgrade late last year. Instead of the assortment of individual chairs that were long in place, there are now cushioned row benches. In addition to the added comfort, the custom-built seating also features a small ledge for everyone to set their drink, food or whatever. Now this is living.
Timucua Credit: Bao Le-Huu
And about those drinks, the house now has stainless steel tumblers in which to dispense all that shared audience-brought wine. This means no one has to deal with broken glass whenever there’s a mishap anymore.
All are very nice improvements to the visitor experience. As always, go see for yourself.
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