Chris Alford / Rahul Nair / The Hyde and Zook Ensemble

New Orleans-based improviser, guitarist, and composer Chris Alford joins percussionist Rahul Nair and the Hyde and Zook Ensemble (HAZE) for a single evening of forward‑looking improvisation at Rhizome DC. Alford’s approach balances the deep tradition of jazz and blues with avant‑garde, unconventional syntax, weaving angular, sharp flourishes together with luscious, atmospheric harmony and melody. He has collaborated with Cassandra Wilson, Ra Kalam Bob Moses, Luke Stewart, Tim Berne, Jeb Bishop, Mino Cinelu, Jack Wright, and many others. Rahul Nair contributes improvised percussion. The Hyde and Zook Ensemble — an improvisational duo featuring Sarah Paz Hyde and Ted Zook — rounds out the evening. Hyde performs on handpan, violin, ngoni, and voice; she is a leading handpan proponent and leads workshops across the U.S. and Canada. Zook, co‑founder of the Fanoplane improvisational ensemble, plays basscello for this performance.

When: Wednesday, July 8, 2026; doors at 7:00 PM, music at 7:30 PM.
Showtimes: The performance runs from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Tickets: $10–20 (sliding scale).
Lineup: Chris Alford (guitar), Rahul Nair (percussion), Sarah Paz Hyde (handpan, violin, ngoni, voice), Ted Zook (basscello).
Ages: Not specified.
Venue: Rhizome DC.
Note: Tickets are available in advance or at the door; the event is part of the venue’s regular concert series.