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In Ensemble Volcanic Ash, cellist, keyboardist, composer and bandleader Janel Leppin assembles a septet of heavyweights from the DMV jazz scene — drummer Larry Ferguson, alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes, guitarist Anthony Pirog, harpist Kim Sator, tenor saxophonist Brian Settles, bassist Luke Stewart — and asks them to play with a touch that, true to the group’s name, ranges from the granular to the explosive.

Pirog’s guitar or Sator’s harp?

As a cellist and a composer, Leppin has been leading this revolving-cast ensemble for years, but its current iteration includes the most exciting musicians in D.C.’s jazz and improvised music scene: bassist Luke Stewart, saxophonists Sarah Hughes and Brian Settles, guitarist Anthony Pirog, harpist Kim Sator and drummer Larry Ferguson.

On the harp, Sator spoke in euphoric glissandi and thoughtful pinpricks, while Pirog’s wobbling guitar tone replied in playful smears.

51�Թ� are musicians who played with Gatton or were influenced by him, including guitarists Principato, Dave Chappell, Chick Hall Jr. and Anthony Pirog.