Two Philadelphia performances worthy of your attention:

– Ben Goldberg, one of the most interesting composer/improvisors I have come across in recent years, is playing with his band Unfold Ordinary Mind at Johnny Brenda’s this coming Sunday, Dec. 9. The show is at 8:30. In this group, Ben plays contra alto clarinet, taking the role of a bass player in the group (contra alto transposes like a bari sax – it’s a fabulous sound.) There’s a great balance of intellect and physicality in this music. Wilco’s Nels Cline will be part of the group that night.

– Prism is focusing on individual composers for each of its concerts this season. The first is a Terry Riley program, to be held at the Art Alliance at 7:00 pm on Sunday December 16. Later programs feature music by Cage and Nick Didkovsky.

Here’s an excerpt from an album of Ben’s called Go Home; in this group he plays regular clarinet: