THE SKY IS A SUITCASE / JAKOB PEK + RAFFI GARABEDIAN at Dresher Ensemble Studio – Oakland, CA

THE SKY IS A SUITCASE is a melodic free jazz group formed in 2014 in Seattle, Wa by Mike Gebhart, Ray Larsen, Carmen Quill and Levi Gillis. They have released 2 records The Sky Is A Suitcase (2016), and Rain Rhythm (2018). El Jardin, their newest record, out this July, blends studio recordings with choice live tracks for an immersive album experience. While clearly influenced by a large amount of the Jazz pantheon (Ornette Coleman, Paul Motian, Keith Jarrett Quartet… to name a few) they have developed a unique sound of their own, favoring collective improvisation/expression over soloistic statements, and clear melody over flashy pyrotechnics. They are a band that invites listeners to slow down and tune in. Tonight they are playing as a trio: MIKE GEBHART, drums; LEVI GILLIS, saxophones; and CARMEN QUILL, bass.

JAKOB PEK is a guitarist, composer, improviser, and educator whose work explores the intersections of sound, perception, and spontaneous creation. Drawing from a wide range of musical and contemplative traditions, he creates performances rooted in deep listening, expressive freedom, and a spirit of discovery. Each performance unfolds as a unique encounter with the possibilities of the present moment.

RAFFI GARABEDIAN is a tenor saxophonist and composer living in Oakland, California. A dedicated improvisationalist, Garabedian centers spontaneous composition as the foundation to explore new rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic cycles.