Calendar Magazine, Boston Globe
September 20, 2001
Here's a Boston band you don't want to miss: Club d'Elf

Core Members: Mike Rivard (bass); Jerry Leake (tabla, percussion); Jere Faison (sampler); Erik Kerr (drums); Brahim Fribgane (oud, percussion).

Guests include: John Medeski (keyboards); DJ Logic (turntables); Dana Colley (saxophone); Reeves Gabrels (guitar); Duke Levine (guitar).

Where and When: The Lizard Lounge, every other Thursday night.

Club d'Elf is the thrilling, musically omnivorous brainchild of veteran bassist Mike Rivard, who has played with everyone from Johnatha Brook and the Story to ex-Velvet Underground drummer Mo Tucker. Hatched several years ago as a way to showcase a multitude of genre-splicing musicians interacting in a live, experimental setting, Club d'Elf has since become just about the most exhilarating way to spend a Thursday night. Rivard leads both band and audience on a musical odyssey that's just as likely to draw on Morrocan and West African trance as it is acid rock and free jazz. The group, which can number anywhere from four to a dozen players, regularly includes such heavyweights as David Bowie guitarist Reeves Gabrels and Medeski, Martin, and Wood keyboardist John Medeski. Grab their CD, As Above (Live at the Lizard Lounge).

-Jonathan Perry