Jazz Articles about Derek Bailey

Derek Bailey & Steve Lacy: Outcome

by Glenn Astarita
April 1, 2000

Outcome is an exceptional new release brought to us from the fine Paris, France based label, “Potlatch” and features modern day innovators, soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy and guitarist Derek Bailey performing a series of duets culled from a live concert in Paris, 1983. Historically, these two giants of modern music have seldom performed as a duo, which might seem a bit unusual when considering their numerous collaborations within various ensembles over the years. However, we can only treasure the bright ...

Derek Bailey: Fairly Early with Postscripts

by Robert Spencer
August 1, 1999

Derek Bailey is the master of the ungroove, of the sound of the moment without reliance on rhythmic or melodic predictability. His guitar music, as well as being tuneless and arhythmic, is forbidding and full of noise effects.

Consequently, perhaps the only predictable thing on this disc of miscellaneous pieces dating from 1971 to 1988 is the wry collection of quotations on the cover. Some are on the order of a 1968 Down Beat article that called Bailey's playing “texturally ...

Derek Bailey-John Stevens-Trevor Watts: Dynamics Of The Impromptu

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

Imagine three scholars sitting under dim lights at a coffeehouse discussing world politics or social disorder? Dynamics of the Impromptu may imply such a scenario as three of the founding fathers of the British Free-Jazz movement coalesced at London’s “Little Theater Club” in 1973 and 1974. Dynamics of the Impromptu represents previously unreleased material which signifies a flourishing and historical time for this endearing and important era of free-improvised jazz.

Bailey, Stevens and Watts perform 6 improvised pieces titled “Impromptu ...

Derek Bailey and Joelle Leandre: No Waiting

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 1999

In the sport of Boxing they often say that styles make fights. Two superb boxers in the same ring can either lull you to sleep or provide fierce competition. Analogies of this nature bring to mind the new CD by the duo of double bassist Joelle Leandre and free-jazz pioneer Derek Bailey. “No Waiting” is a new release and features 5 jointly composed pieces all baring the same title.

Leandre and Bailey are gifted musicians. Their legacies are well documented ...