Articles by Jay Collins

New Zealand: A New Destination For Improvised Music?

by Jay Collins
December 29, 2003

When one thinks of spots for progressive freely improvised music, New Zealand is hardly the first to spring to mind. But, believe it or not, the country has seen a recent upsurge and considerable growth in the scene, thanks to a small number of dedicated souls in the capital city of Wellington. This collective of independent artists, influenced by jazz, rock and experimental realms, have united in their quest for expression, as personified in the establishment of “The Space,” an ...

Sun Ra: Spaceship Lullaby

by Jay Collins
December 4, 2003

Sun Ra watchers have to be thrilled with Atavistic’s recent efforts to present rare and previously unreleased Saturnistic material. The label's first release was the Cold War-era classic Nuclear War, followed by Music From Tomorrow’s World, a compendium of two previously unreleased live sessions from the tail end of the Chicago Period. The series’ latest issue is an archeological find (all 37 unreleased tracks worth) which collects Ra’s work with several Chicago vocal groups during the mid to late 1950’s. ...

Peter Br: FMP 130

by Jay Collins
October 14, 2003

Without a doubt, the cooperative consisting of saxophonist Peter Brötzmann, pianist Fred Van Hove and drummer Han Bennink is one of the most celebrated, if not the most influential, free improv trios in Europe. Recorded for FMP three years after the group's astonishing and portentous 1970 debut, Balls, this accurately titled record, known as FMP 130, displays the trio at its apex. It is a resilient document containing compositionally condensed pieces that embrace a startlingly broad scope of textures and ...

Jason Roebke: Rapid Croche

by Jay Collins
October 13, 2003

The Chicago jazz/improvised music scene is legendary, whether the topic concerns the AACM school or more recent experimenters. Drawing upon the inspiration the past and local legends like Fred Anderson, Hal Russell and more recently, Ken Vandermark, the second and third waves consist of an amazingly diverse and invigorating talent pool, now emerging as impressive musicians with a heap of potential.

The three musicians of Jason Roebke’s Rapid Croche are part of this vibrant scene and play ...

Two From Monk

by Jay Collins
October 11, 2003

Fellow jazz fans are likely familiar with Columbia’s reissue program of the '80s and '90s. These “Columbia Jazz Masterpieces” were packaged with an ugly blue/purple border that cropped the original album art and contained muddy and sometimes horrific sounding “remastering” jobs. Attempting to make up for past sins, Sony’s Columbia Legacy division has been responsible for the more recent trickle of product, although many important sessions still remain in the vaults (i.e. Duke Ellington).

Original album art ...

Alterations: Voila! Enough

by Jay Collins
October 9, 2003

Alterations was a collective of four British improvisers, Steve Beresford, David Toop, Terry Day and Peter Cusack, sparked by the unpredictability of free improvisation and the mixture of seemingly incongruous elements. Formed in 1977 by Cusack, the group reveled in an aura of “productive friction,” with their interactions being both collective and combative. They thrived on unpredictability and a tension that produced three records. Voila Enough!, then, a collection of previously unreleased performances of the group from 1979-1981, is a ...

Steve Lacy: 10 Of Dukes + 6 Originals

by Jay Collins
October 7, 2003

Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy has been following his own path for well over fifty years, initially as a traditional jazz musician (drawing upon his chief inspiration, Sidney Bechet), but ultimately becoming comfortable with a more modern approach due to stints with both Cecil Taylor and Thelonious Monk. His personal instrumental and compositional style continue to confirm his legendary status, whether performing with his own groups, with others, or as a solo performer. Ten of Dukes + Six Originals, another addition ...

Andrew Drury: A Momentary Lapse

by Jay Collins
October 7, 2003

Andrew Drury may not be a household name, but he has been playing with several big name NYC-area musicians over the past few years. Once a student of drumming giant Ed Blackwell, Drury has undertaken a variety of playing experiences, including a gig as an Artist-in-Residence with the Oneida Nation. His compositional approach stems from such experiences, as well as the inspiration of his instrument of choice. His structures thrive on forward momentum encouraged by rhythmic patterns that derive from ...

Jason Moran: The Bandwagon

by Jay Collins
October 7, 2003

Without a doubt, Jason Moran is now at the forefront of so-called modern jazz. While he has his share of detractors, his stature is certainly deserved. Possessed with a fearless technique, an impressive pedigree (both in terms of his mentors and his former employers), a striking compositional style and adventurousness within the conventional framework of the piano trio, Moran’s future is secure. On each successive release, beginning with Soundtrack to Human Motion, Moran has sought to make his recordings both ...

Mr. Dorgon: Genius or Charlatan?

by Jay Collins
October 4, 2003

Gordon Knauer, known by the name Mr. Dorgon, states his maxim as “the concept of music is not predicated solely on the subdivision of quarter notes.” It is this credo that guides his eleven self-produced records, as well as his work with others. Whether Dorgon is considered a genius or a charlatan, his releases demonstrate that he truly marches to the beat of his own drummer.

Outside of the music realm, two of Dorgon’s non-musical items are rather ...