Sifter is a collective Bay Area original jazz quartet, spearheaded by trombonist and musical polymath, Rob Ewing. The ensemble explores a vast terrain of music that swings, grooves, floats, careens and carouses, featuring compositions by all four members of the band.
Playful, lyrical, luscious, quirky, and personal—Flake/Fracture is a snapshot of Sifter’s distinctive sound, honed over several years of monthly gigs at Woods Bar & Brewery in Oakland. The chordless quartet thrives on deep improvisation, groove, and textural exploration, drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences. The album captures the energy and spirit of the band’s evolving compositions and unique group dynamic.
Formed in early 2018 by trombonist Ewing, Sifter was conceived as a composer’s band—an outlet for improvisers to bring original material to life. Rob first enlisted bassist Lisa Mezzacappa and drummer Jordan Glenn, having previously worked with them as a favorite rhythm section. He then invited alto saxophonist Beth Schenck, drawn to her distinct compositional voice and gorgeous sound. The group quickly established a thrilling chemistry, with all members contributing original works that resulted in an eclectic yet cohesive mix of musical approaches. Sifter’s regular 3-hour Friday gigs in Uptown Oakland provided a rare opportunity to refine the band’s sound organically over time. The pandemic put the band on pause, but the musicians’ enthusiasm for the collaboration persisted. Flake/Fracture documents the music they spent years developing, showcasing their shared passion for adventurous composition and improvisation.
Flake/Fracture is the sixth release in a series of 12 recordings featuring Bay Area creative composers and musicians, released monthly from February 2025 through February 2026 by bassist Lisa Mezzacappa’s micro label Queen Bee Records.
Artist Bios
Rob Ewing is a trombonist, composer, bassist, and bandleader based in Oakland, CA, known for his probing, quirky, and lyrical approach to jazz and experimental music. His playing blends fluid storytelling with a rhythm-driven sensibility. With Sifter, he explores homespun, personal compositions with a deep interest in group improvisation and ensemble interplay. Ewing also performs with the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, the Humidors, and Swerve Control, and leads the bands Junior Reggae and Disappear Incompletely.
Beth Schenck is a San Francisco-based saxophonist and composer who writes bracing music that blends lush harmonies with fierce propulsiveness and rhythmic surprise. Her work has been described as “frank and beautiful” (
MetalJazz.com) and “reliably enthralling” (San Francisco Chronicle). She leads a quintet performing her original music, the Social Sutter saxophone quartet, and collaborates in projects such as the Guthrie Project and House of Faern. Her solo debut, Above and Below, was recently released on Innova Records.
Jordan Glenn, a drummer, percussionist, and composer, has been a vital presence in the Bay Area music scene for nearly two decades. He has collaborated with artists including Fred Frith, William Winant, Zeena Parkins, Ben Goldberg, Todd Sickafoose, John Schott, Lisa Mezzacappa, Myra Melford, Motoko Honda, and Michael Coleman. He has also performed with Secret Chiefs 3, tUnE-yArDs, the Rova Saxophone Quartet, and Roscoe Mitchell. Glenn leads the ensembles Weiner Kids and BEAK and frequently composes music for dance.
Lisa Mezzacappa is a Berkeley-based composer, bassist, and producer who has been active in the Bay Area for over 20 years. Her work spans ethereal chamber music, electro-acoustic pieces, avant-garde jazz, and music for ensembles of all sizes. She also collaborates across disciplines, including projects with film, dance, and visual art. Her most recent major project is The Electronic Lover, a nine-episode audio opera.
