Pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist Michael Bisio essay intimate jazz duets and torrential improvisations live in Philadelphia
Reviews & Commentary
Matthew Shipp Live in Philadelphia
Tag: Free Jazz
Reviews & Commentary
VINYL VIGILANCE-Muhal Richard Abrams’ Spiral
AACM founder Muhal Richard Abrams was in free flight in 1978 when he recorded his live album, Spiral.
Reviews & Commentary
In Memory of Charlie Haden 1937-2014
There was never any doubt of Charlie Haden’s commitment to the bass and to jazz. From the iconoclastic Ornette Coleman Quartet in the late 50s to his Quartet West ensemble, Haden has remained a steadfast force in jazz, constantly changing, but always remaining true to himself and his art. Charlie Haden died, on July 11,…
Reviews & Commentary
Ten Sun Ra Albums to Blow Your Mind
Calling Planet Earth: Sun Ra, the Original Space Musician: Upon hearing Sun Ra’s “Constellation” in a Downbeat Magazine blindfold test Brian Eno said, “I wish I had done it myself. I’m extremely envious that somebody else did it. I’d give that five [stars] actually.” Guitarist Syd Barrett reputedly blew his mind to The Heliocentric Worlds…
Program Highlights
An Angel Taps Pat Metheny & John Zorn.
A Review of Pat Metheny’s Tap: John Zorn’s Book of Angels Volume 20 Hear Pat Metheny talk about John Zorn’s Book of Angels Volume 20 on the Echoes Podcast Pat Metheny and John Zorn were born within a year of each other and share many of the same musical influences. But in their professional lives,…
Program Highlights
Barry Altschul’s Swinging Freedom with 3Dom Factor
Drummer Barry Altschul Opens Ars Nova’s winter-spring 2013 season with a storming set at Philadelphia Art Alliance. It’s been a while since I’ve seen drummer Barry Altschul live. In the 70s and 80s he came through Philadelphia all the time, powering bleeding edge improvisations with the Sam Rivers Trio, The Anthony Braxton Quartet and others. …
Reviews & Commentary
Instant Joy with The Instant Composers Pool Orchestra.
Instant Composers Orchestra’s Joyful Noise at Christ Church Neighborhood House 4-3-2011. When you’re talking about avant-garde jazz and free improvisation, joy is often left out of the mix. You get aggression, exuberance, chaos and hushed, meditative space, but rarely is there simple joy. That is, unless you attended one of the three nights that the…