This time of year is all huge comedown. A denouement from not only the holidays and all the frenetic celebration that comes with it, but the spirit that comes with that celebration. Anyone still in a mood to give themselves a break from the norm and enjoy an evening without making major plans around it should head to Theatre La Chapelle tonight for the second show of Lettingo: The music and influence of Ornette Coleman.

The show is the brainchild of Gary Schwartz, a local guitar hero whose sound could easily pass for Bill Frisell to anyone not listening carefully, though you’d be hard pressed to hear Frisell ever playing anything so thoroughly drum based.

For a tribute to one of the shapers of free jazz, this show is particularly composed – you won’t hear any wild, frantic solos or weird movements that move toward noise. This is an ensemble piece that includes sounds from Coleman’s repertoire, saxophones, a trumpet and a violin, but also pianos and a pedal steel guitar. The sound is full and exotic, individual and harmonious, with impressive solos framed by almost orchestral melodies.

Still, that doesn’t mean it isn’t free. The two drums playfully dodge each other around guitar and piano melodies while the horns run wild next to Eastern European violins and a pedal steel guitar for that lonesome wanderer sound.

Schwarz did most of the arrangements, but of note, there was one by Alex Cote, David Ryshpan and Christopher Smith. The songs went not only into Coleman’s repertoire, with Lonely Woman and one for true lovers of free jazz, Checkup. You’ll hear asymmetric interplay between the tenor sax and piano, but always a firm, smooth direction from the low-key guitar and the prominent trumpet.

The show opened with two tracks and then a short tribute to Haiti and the people suffering there right now. As Gary Schwartz says, “Ornette’s music is about humility, democracy and we hope that some of this energy can reach out to them.”

Broken Shadow, a Coleman tune, came in just before a tribute to one of Coleman’s biggest influences, Thelonius Monk, with Rhythm’n’ing. This tune shows off the piano skills of keyboard player David Ryshpan and the depth of bass clarinet from Frank Lozano. Though composed, this tune is so playful that it sounds as free as someone making up a tune on the spot. Monk was one of the most influential jazz composers and the bebop feel to Coleman’s free-style tunes bring out echoes of his sound.

Both last night and tonight’s shows are being recorded and there is music from each performer available at the box office. There’s talk of more shows to come, but for now if you’re in the mood for composed, yet relaxed, directed but improvised jazz magic, head down to Theatre La Chapelle and relax into a much-needed break.

Lettingo: The music and influence of Ornette Coleman plays tonight at Theatre La Chapelle, 3700 rue Saint Dominique. Ticket Office: 514-843-7738. For more details, visit the Theatre La Chapelle web site. To listen to some Gary Schwartz music go to MySpace.

Tagged as: Bill Frisell, free jazz, Ornette Coleman, Thelonius Monk