Lots of flashy guitarists are content to cut loose over a familiar backdrop of bebop or fusion, showing off their chops with any available pick-up band. But guitarists Eric Hofbauer and Michael Musillami are distinctive writers as well as players, and they’ve each fashioned ensembles who are as dedicated to exploration and new composition as they are. At Johnny D’s tonight Bostonian Hofbauer fronts his exciting Infrared Band with tenor saxophonist Kelly Roberge, bassist Sean Farias, and drummer Miki Matsuki. And then up from New York is Musillami, with his well-honed, decade-old trio of bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller.
