Henry Kaiser is as difficult to pin down as he is prolific. The San Francisco-based guitarist and composer can adapt his playing style to fit the free-form improvisations of AACM trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith; the eclectic pop of his project with Fred Frith, John French, and British folk rock singer/songwriter Richard Thompson, and the epic visions of director Werner Herzog. Add to that an ever-growing catalog of solo recordings that find him exploring fiery art rock and spine-tingling jazz, and it becomes clear why Kaiser remains a pillar of the Bay Area arts community.