Michael Formanek Group + Mat Maneri

More than just a bassist's bassist (though he's unquestionably that), Michael Formanek is a sorely underrated composer and bandleader whose renown faded slightly when he left NYC for a teaching gig in Baltimore. He's back tonight to showcase the band heard on his stellar ECM release, The Rub and Spare Change: saxophonist Tim Berne, keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Gerald Cleaver. Arresting violinist and violist Mat Maneri opens with a beguiling quintet that also includes Taborn.