Jazz Articles about Charles Lloyd

Subconscious Chatting

by AAJ Staff
February 15, 2003

I must start out with a load of thanks to my friend Scott Dolan of Missouri who sent me an interesting little aside which appealed to me so much that I decided to write an article on it... Here it goes : it seems recently a friend of Scott's sent him an e-mail and they were discussing the merits and functions of free jazz. They were talking about how odd it was that they both got quite similar feelings and ...

Charles Lloyd: Lift Every Voice

by Mark Corroto
November 1, 2002

The initial response of most Americans to the tragedy of September 11th was shock, quickly followed by anger. While many maintain that anger, others have moved on to mourning, contemplation, and hope. Such is the mood for Charles Lloyd’s recording, over two hours of introspection and spiritual resurrection.

This recording of two sessions from the winter of 2002 follows two of the most beautiful records Lloyd has ever made. Both The Water Is Wide (2000) and Hyperion ...

Charles Lloyd: Lift Every Voice

by Mark F. Turner
October 15, 2002

There exists a timeless and pure quality to the music of jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd that is refreshing and reverent. Like a fine wine that gets better with age, such is the case with his vision and musical purpose. Coming off last year’s highly acclaimed effort Hyperion for Higgins, Lloyd continues his statement for the endearing passion that burns within on Lift Every Voice And Sing. The new recording declares an uplifting empathy of the spirit by using a mixture ...

Charles Lloyd: Hyperion With Higgins

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2001

Charles Lloyd won widespread acclaim for his recent Water is Wide, recorded in 1999. That record set high standards for any sequel; and now Lloyd offers Hyperion With Higgins, recorded during the same week in Los Angeles. The title of this disc pays explicit respect to the late Billy Higgins, who passed away in May. This record features the same quintet, an unusual mixture of old-timers and younger musicians. Higgins's emphatic presence is critical to the success of this record, ...

Charles Lloyd: Hyperion With Higgins

by Mark Corroto
September 1, 2001

Culled from the same session that brought us the excellent Water Is Wide recording from last year, Hyperion With Higgins delivers more of the same commendable music. With a heavy heart, saxophone Charles Lloyd bids farewell to his friend, drummer Billy Higgins who passed away this year. Both Higgins and Lloyd are jazz masters who have participated in shaping the history and direction of modern jazz. Both musicians came up playing together in the Los Angeles area, Higgins gaining fame ...

Charles Lloyd: Crossing the Waters Wide

by C. Andrew Hovan
September 1, 2000

From the time of “love-ins" and tie-dyed shirts to today's current jazz renaissance, Charles Lloyd has played a part in the multifaceted history of the music. His series of Atlantic sides in the '60s transfixed a young and impressionable audience by way of an intoxicating fusion of mysticism, rock rhythms and jazz improvisation, while also launching the careers of both Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette. The following decade would find Lloyd playing the role of mentor in fostering the career ...

Charles Lloyd: The Water is Wide

by C. Andrew Hovan
September 1, 2000

These are busy guys so it took a long time to work out the schedule for a recording session back in December of 1999, but Charles Lloyd managed to bring together this cross-generational fellowship and the results are indeed splendid. John Abercrombie and Billy Higgins are holdovers from the Voice in the Night album, with pianist Brad Mehldau and bassist Larry Grenadier being new to the fold. Regardless, the chemistry is solid throughout, making Lloyd’s seventh ECM album particularly special. ...