John Tchicai
Web Site
July 2000

Unsung Recordings
Reviewed By
Robert Spencer

Other Tchicai
Reviews @ AAJ
Cassava Balls
Infinitesimal Flash
Life Overflowing
Moonstone Journey

By Robert Spencer

In the Sixties John Tchicai was one of the pioneers of the "avant-garde" in jazz. In 1966 Down Beat said that he "stands out among the jazz avant-garde, musically and personally." He played in the New York Art Quartet with Roswell Rudd and attracted the notice of that great New Thing A&R man John Coltrane, who included him on the monumental Ascension. He also appeared with Albert Ayler and Don Cherry on the likewise challenging and magnificent New York Eye and Ear Control, and with Archie Shepp on Four for Trane. But these landmarks were all recorded between 1963 and 1966; Tchicai's work since then is less celebrated, and it ought not to be that way. Because John Tchicai is one of the foremost saxophonists of our time.

John Tchicai was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1936. His mother was Danish and his father was Congolese. As a youth he started on violin; then at 16 he took up the alto saxophone and clarinet. He plays alto on Ascension and the others. Much later - in the Seventies - he added the bass clarinet and soprano saxophone (along with bamboo flutes and percussion), and in the Eighties he picked up the tenor, which has since become his leading axe. He stands out on any of his instruments for the wild lyricism of his playing, which some say sounds like Lee Konitz's arch melodicism filtered through the grand prism of the Sixties Free Thing.

One reason why his work since the Sixties is lesser known is because he took a bit of time off in the Seventies to teach, conduct workshops, and explore the mysteries of hatha yoga and meditation. This spiritual grounding informs all of his work and gives it an immediacy and staying power beyond the ordinary. Often he vocalizes in a particularly affecting, even hypnotic way, bringing the visceral power of ritual and chant into the most diverse settings. "By the '80s," says his official bio, "he had picked up touring and recording internationally again, traveling through Europe, to India, Japan and Africa, performing as a sideman as well as leading his own groups." He recorded in Denmark with guitarist Pierre DÃƒÂƒÃ…Åşrge and the luminous, numinous South African bassist Johnny Dyani. He played in Greece with Famoudou Don Moye, the master percussionist of the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Then in 1991 he settled in California, where his base remains to this day. His afro-jazz/blues-rock fusion disc, Love Is Touching, appeared not long afterward. Other great discs have followed: Life Overflowing with Charlie Kohlhase, the Pride of Portsmouth; Love Notes from the Madhouse with the poet Yusef Komunyakaa, and John Tchicai's Infinitesimal Flash with Francis Wong. He even got the New York Art Quintet back together for a justly-heralded 35th Reunion disc. "Currently, he teaches workshops in schools and in prisons, composes and works on new projects. He practices yoga, pranayama and meditation, and still tours internationally." For which we can all be grateful! If John Tchicai comes to a venue near you - and if you have the slightest interest in hearing great music made in the moment - you owe it to yourself to hear this all-time master.

Familiar with John Tchicai's music? We welcome your comments.