Leroy Jenkins Dies

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Violinist Leroy Jenkins died on Friday in New York. He was 74 and the cause of death was complications with lung cancer.

Jenkins was a prominent part of the free jazz movement of the 1960s. He joined Chicago’s Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians in 1964 and formed the Creative Construction Company with AACM colleagues Anthony Braxton, Steve McCall and Leo Smith. In 1970, Jenkins co-led the Revolutionary Ensemble with bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. In later years, Jenkins’ solo work embraced chamber music, unaccompanied solo performance, and funk. Three years ago, Jenkins began colllaborating with pianist Myra Melford and saxophonist Joseph Jarman.



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