Michael Formanek

The bassist’s discs as a leader a few and far between, so it’s a bit of an event when he drops something new, such as this fall’s The Rub and Spare Change. Formanek’s varied interests are on display in this vivid quartet music. Dreamy repetition morphs into aggressive zigzagging, and help from Tim Berne, Craig Taborn, and Gerald Cleaver lets Formanek’s slinky lines spill into unexpected destinations. This is heady music, but there’s plenty of whomp in play, too.

Wed., Oct. 27, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., 2010