Los Angeles-based, New Orleans-bred pianist Ben Alleman is highly regarded for his ability to tell stories with melody and improvisation rather than words. He’s been a trusted musician for musical luminaries from Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John, to Social Distortion and Jenny Lewis, as well as working in the studio with some of the finest songwriters of our time, Sean McConnell, Madi Diaz, Olivia Kaplan, and Greg Holden.

Underneath the Orange Tree, Alleman’s second album, is set in Los Angeles. However, you won’t find Hollywood glitz in these songs. The album deals with lesser thought of experiences that LA offers the creatives that inhabit it: the grit and dust of the people and landscape, the trials of modernity, themes of choice vs. fate, the nervous quiet of an LA winter, the exaltation of rain, killing old versions of yourself, and the conflict of abandoning your roots.

Alleman wrote this material around the communicative playing of longtime collaborators Brian Lang (bass) and Matt Musty (drums). The album is decidedly murkier, doused with angst, feeling like a post-rock band with Alleman’s piano, Mellotron, and Prophet running through guitar amps. The work prioritizes emotion over perfection and celebrates humanity in music.

Doors at 8 PM

$20 adv + DICE fees / $25 at the door - TICKETS HERE

($15 for Initiate members, $10 for Sponsor members, $0 +1 for Patron members, www.healingforcerecords.com/memberships)