TSIGOTI performing at the Tap Room on Thursday, May 13

Pianist Thollem McDonas is returning to St. Louis with his latest project, the band TSIGOTI (pictured), for a free concert at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13 at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust downtown. The St. Louis band Magic City will open the show.

McDonas, who has performed in St. Louis several times in recent years as part of his seemingly non-stop touring, incorporates elements of free improvisation, classical music, jazz, rock and more into his solo work. TSIGOTI, signed to the famed free-jazz label ESP-Disk, is described as "a collaborative and improvisational quazi-punk band dedicated to expressing their opposition of war, authoritarian regimes, and violent religious extremes."

TSIGOTI's album Private Poverty Speaks To The People Of The Party was released in January, just after they wrapped up a tour of Italy. Besides McDonas on piano and vocals, TSIGOTI includes Jack Andrews (guitar), Ben Itchy (bass) and Andy Cap (drums).

(Edited 4/1/10 to correct band members' names.)