Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
The Essence of Emily
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
On June 24, Arts For Art, in cooperation with AUM Fidelity, will release trumpeter Bill Dixon’s 17 Musicians In Search Of A Sound: Darfur, the first recording of all original orchestral music released under his name since 1967’s Intents And Purposes.
This live concert recording is the second in a series of three CDs documenting commissioned performances from Vision Festival XII in 2007. The series includes the Roy Campbell Ensemble’s Akhenaten Suite, released on March 11, and William Parker’s orchestral recording, Double Sunrise Over Neptune, due in August.
Dixon’s hour-long work, separated into 13 tracks on the recording, was commissioned as part of the Vision Festival’s celebration of his role as an organizer, educator, musician and inspiration for the festival and events of its kind. Dixon developed the new composition with the orchestra through three days of intensive rehearsals and further sculpted the music through conduction during its June 20 performance. He selected each member of the ensemble, which featured a cast of seasoned improvisers, many of whom have collaborated with him for more than 20 years.
The Bill Dixon Orchestra features Dixon, trumpet and electronics; Karen Borca, bassoon; Taylor Ho Bynum, cornet/flugelhorn; Will Connell, bass clarinet; Michel Côté, B-flat contrabass clarinet; Joseph Daley, tuba; Andrew Raffo Dewar, soprano saxophone; Dick Griffin, tenor trombone; John Hagen, tenor and baritone saxophones; Graham Haynes, Stephen Haynes, cornet/flugelhorn; Jackson Krall, drums and percussion; Andrew Lafkas, double bass; Glynis Loman, cello; JD Parran, bass saxophone and bamboo flute; Warren Smith, vibes, tympani and drums; and Steve Swell, tenor trombone.
More info: bill-dixon.com
“She said, ‘A lot of people are going to try and stop you,’” Sheryl Bailey recalls of the advice she received from jazz guitarist Emily Remler (1957–’90). “‘They’re going to say you slept with somebody, you’re a dyke, you’re this and that and the other. Don’t listen to them, and just keep playing.’”
Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
As Ted Nash, left, departs the alto saxophone chair for LCJO, Alexa Tarantino steps in as the band’s first female full-time member.
Mar 4, 2025 1:29 PM
If only because openings for JLCO’s 15 permanent positions appear about as frequently as sub-freezing days on the…
Larry Appelbaum with Wayne Shorter in 2012.
Feb 25, 2025 10:49 AM
Larry Appelbaum, a distinguished audio engineer, jazz journalist, historian and broadcaster, died Feb. 21, 2025, in…
“This is one of the great gifts that Coltrane gave us — he gave us a key to the cosmos in this recording,” says John McLaughlin.
Mar 18, 2025 3:00 PM
In his original liner notes to A Love Supreme, John Coltrane wrote: “Yes, it is true — ‘seek and ye shall…
Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock perform “Fly Me To The Moon” during a Grammy Awards tribute to Quincy Jones on Feb. 2.
Feb 3, 2025 10:21 PM
The jazz and blues community may not have been center stage for the majority of the 67th annual Grammy Award…
