In 2018, Brooklyn Comes Alive will host a unique collaborative set featuring five of the most talented musicians and improvisers from the live music community. Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles), Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power), Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Wolf!), MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost Note), and Skerik will join forces for a highly anticipated performance that is sure to be one of the most memorable sets during the Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based event. It’s anyone’s best guess what these virtuosos will play during their set, but whatever they do play, it is sure to feature powerful, ambitious improvisation from all five band members.

Following several standout collaborations during this past year’s Jazz Fest, it became clear that Skerik and Nikki Glaspie would be the perfect team at Brooklyn Comes Alive. The pair’s relationship runs deeps and formed the foundation of this unique band. Skerik is one of the best improvisers in the game, having made a name for himself as one of the most unique saxophone players in the world. His confident and experimental approach to his instrument sets him apart, and he has carved a place for himself as one of the live music community’s go-to sax players. Similarly, Glaspie is a highly sought-after musician within the improvisational world. She is also powerhouse performer in her own right, expertly leading her band, The Nth Power, on tour and through their trademark tribute sets.

MonoNeon is an artist that should be on your radar by now. After gaining notoriety on the internet with his hilarious videos, the former Prince bassist has made a name for himself in a big way by joining the rising fusion act Ghost-Note, fronting incredible Jazz Fest late nights like Neon-Medeski and Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince, and performing with amazing artists such as Eric Krasno, John Medeski, and others all over the world. The in-demand bassist is certainly an enigma, but his quiet persona is no representation of his deep and in-your-face playing style.

Making his first appearance at Brooklyn Comes Alive, Cory Henry is primed to leave his mark on the event. In fact, during his time in Snarky Puppy, the ultra-talent keyboardist stood out. Henry now fronts his own internationally touring project, the Funk Apostles, and has become one of the standout names in jazz and funk over the past half-decade. His expansive musical IQ makes him one of the best players in the game, whether he’s playing a Hammond B3 Organ, drums, or his unique harpejji.

Henry expressed his excitement to Live For Live Music, saying, “I’m looking forward to playing music with this amazing lineup. It should be fun, exciting and fresh! Brooklyn has a way of reinventing itself. This event is right in line with the Brooklyn times. Come out and enjoy a new musical creation!”

Similar to Glaspie, Scott Metzger has a longstanding relationship with Skerik that dates back over a decade. Metzger, the mild-mannered guitarist from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and his improv-centric project Wolf! has established himself as one of New York City’s brightest musical talents, keeping a constant presence in the city’s vibrant underground music scene, even after the national success of JRAD.

Metzger will certainly add an interesting element to this band, and he spoke to L4LM about his excitement for the project and for BCA:

Seeing how I’ve lived in Brooklyn and NYC for 18 years now, this year I’m super psyched to play my third Brooklyn Comes Alive. Because of its unique collaboration nature, some of my favorite sets have happened at BCA, and I’m sure this one will be more of the same. I’m just as excited to hear the dudes and lady I’m playing with as I am to play with them—Cory Henry, MonoNeon, Nikki Glaspie, and Skerik are all monster musicians. Solid crew!

Solid crew, indeed.

To get hyped to see this crew light up the Brooklyn Comes Alive stage, check out this video from Skerik and Glaspie’s Jazz Fest late night with Medeski and Chris Wood, also known as Fiya Bomb.

[Video: RexAVision]

The fourth-annual Brooklyn Comes Alive will return to Brooklyn’s beloved Williamsburg neighborhood on September 29th for an all-day music marathon at Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and Rough Trade. Inspired by the vibrant musical communities of Brooklyn and New Orleans, Brooklyn Comes Alive brings together more than 50 artists, allowing them to carry out passion projects, play with their musical heroes, and collaborate in never-before-seen formations. For more information, ticketing, and to see the full list of performers scheduled for Brooklyn Comes Alive 2018, head to the festival’s website here.