On Saturday, August 25th, the Mary Halvorson Quintet will perform at Jazzfestival Saalfelden 2012 in Saalfelden, Austria.

Led by "one of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz—or otherwise" (Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal), this acclaimed ensemble will be making only its second appearance on a European stage following its July 2011 set at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Ms. Halvorson and her bandmates, trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon, bassist John Hébert and drummer Ches Smith, will perform selections from their recently released second recording, Bending Bridges (Firehouse 12 Records), as well as brand new material.

"One of the year's most eagerly anticipated albums," writes JazzTimes reviewer Lloyd Sachs, "the Mary Halvorson Quintet's Bending Bridges has its work cut out for it topping the band's 2010 poll favorite, Saturn Sings. But the new recording, which benefits from the band’s first serious stretch of playing together live, is even deeper and edgier than its predecessor. It confirms Halvorson as an artist whose originality as a guitarist is no fiercer than her originality as a writer. Simply put, no one is making music like this...what a singular talent she is."

Critics have called Bending Bridges "refreshingly surprising" (Bill Meyer, The Wire), "beautiful and urgent" (Will Layman, Pop Matters), "distinctive and distinguished" (Stuart Broomer, The New York City Jazz Record), "packed with detail and discursive thrills" (Peter Margasak, DownBeat) and "another exemplary offering from Halvorson's Quintet" (Troy Collins, AllAboutJazz.com).

Dusted's Jason Bivins adds, "Halvorson has been in the zone over the past couple years, but it's hard not to hear Bending Bridges as a highpoint."

Learn more about Ms. Halvorson, who will also perform in Saalfelden with Ches Smith & These Arches, at http://maryhalvorson.com