Grand melodies meet subversive beats and the ancient meets the avant-garde in tonight’s double bill, featuring original compositions by two enticingly distinctive composers and performers, Todd Sickafoose and Myra Melford, with their respective ensembles -- plus special guests Carla Kihlstedt on violin and Marika Hughes on cello.

Featuring works from his new album of the same name, Todd Sickafoose’s Blood Orange offers gorgeous, shifting textures in a rich, dreamy free-jazz concoction. Upright bassist, pianist, and composer, Todd has made a name for himself working with the likes of Laurie Lewis, Darol Anger, and Ani DiFranco. Called "a captivating improviser, imaginative composer, and master of collaboration" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Todd is joined tonight by Myra Melford on piano, Ben Wendel, on reeds, John Gove on trombone, Carla Kihlstedt on violin, Marika Hughes on cello and Ches Smith on percussion, plus special guest, Nels Cline, of the band Wilco, on guitar.

Poetry by Rumi and al-Jawahiri, current world events, Bengali tribal drumming, holy day street parades, and impressions of modern-day India were some of the inspirations for “The Whole Place Goes Up,” the original suite described by composer and pianist Myra as “a continual bombardment of the senses and a mingling of the peace of the ancient with the hustle of the present.” Joined by Ben Goldberg on clarinets, bassist Todd Sickafoose, and Ches Smith on drums, Myra offers a lyrical blending of elements as diverse as Chicago blues, Eastern European and Indian music, and percussive avant-garde stylings.