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Pi Recordings 2016 Releases
by Hrayr Attarian
Over the 15 years of its existence, Pi Recordings has been the home of musical innovators both established and up and coming. Its catalogue includes works by such legends as composer and woodwind player Henry Threadgill, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams and other members of the Association for Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). The imprint is also where such rising talents as trumpeter Amir ElSaffar and guitarist Liberty Ellman launched their careers. Seth Rosner and Yulun Wang helm Pi and limit ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Ensemble Double Up: Old Locks and Irregular Verbs
by Giuseppe Segala
Il criterio dell'integrazione a coppie di strumenti omologhi o affini è uno degli aspetti che maggiormente caratterizzano la musica di Henry Threadgill. Già nel gruppo Very Very Circus si incontrava il raddoppio di chitarra e tuba, mentre l'impianto di Zooid, nato come sestetto in cui si specchiavano chitarra acustica e oud da un lato, violoncello e tuba dall'altro, si è evoluto in modo complesso e stratificato, articolando la dialettica di sintesi tra coppie di strumenti come un gioco di colori ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Ensemble Double Up: Old Locks And Irregular Verbs
by Glenn Astarita
Here, one modern era jazz innovator pays homage to another modern era jazz innovator. The premise for this album is framed on Henry Threadgill's friendship and admiration to the late composer-conductor Butch Morris who cunningly established a new twist on large ensemble conduction processes. And the Ensemble Double Up is viewed as an extension to Threadgill's long-running Zooid band, now featuring two alto saxophonists and two pianists. Consequently, he doesn't play alto sax on this outing, devised on a four-part ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Ensemble Double Up: Old Locks And Irregular Verbs
by Dan Bilawsky
The premiere of Old Locks and Irregular Verbs--Henry Threadgill's tribute to his longtime friend and colleague, musical pioneer Lawrence D. “Butch" Morris--was easily one of the most talked about events at the 2014 edition of New York's Winter Jazzfest. The buzz factor and expectation surrounding this work and the band performing it was so strong, in fact, that it was scheduled for two performance slots. For any other act at a festival that prides itself on diversity, that might've been ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Zooid: In for a Penny, In for a Pound
by Luca Canini
Non poteva che chiudersi così il 2015, con un nuovo disco di Henry Threadgill. Un doppio addirittura, il primo a proprio nome in 40 e passa anni di prodigi e meraviglie: In for a Penny, in for a Pound. A conferma di uno stato di grazia conclamato -dalle gesta dell'ensemble Double-Up alle rimpatriate con Jack DeJohnette e Leo Smith, è da un bel pezzo ormai che il nostro si mantiene su livelli stratosferici -e a incorniciare idealmente l'annus mirabilis della ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Zooid: In For A Penny, In For A Pound
by Hrayr Attarian
Innovative multi-reed player and composer Henry Threadgill is no stranger to adventurous projects. Starting with the groundbreaking trio Air four decades ago he has not stopped expanding his creative boundaries. The ambitious multi-part suite In for a Penny, In for a Pound highlights the unusual instrumentation Threadgill has always incorporated in his groups. Each movement is written for and coalesces around one of the members of Threadgill's current ensemble Zooid. The cinematic “Ceroepic" features drummer Elliott Humberto Kavee ...
Continue ReadingHenry Threadgill Zooid: In for a Penny, In for a Pound
by Troy Collins
Renowned composer and multi-instrumentalist Henry Threadgill has led a number of critically acclaimed groups since his formative days as a founding member of the AACM, but none have endured as long as Zooid. Formed in 2001, the unit has undergone a few personnel changes over the years, although guitarist Liberty Ellman and tuba player/trombonist Jose Davila have been involved since the ensemble's inception. The current configuration is completed by cellist Christopher Hoffman and drummer Elliot Humberto Kavee, making this particular ...
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