Jazz Articles about Taylor Ho Bynum

Taylor Ho Bynum & SpiderMonkey Strings: Other Stories (Three Suites)

by Jerry D'Souza
November 21, 2005

Taylor Ho Bynum has immersed himself in different musical idioms over the years, giving voice to many colors in the context of several bands. The so-called SpiderMonkey Strings are one of the avenues he uses as a vent for his imagination. Stimulating the process are eight other musicians whose choice of instruments include violin, cello, viola, vibraphone, guitar, drums, and tuba. Bynum adds his cornet to the unusual mix.

The music on this recording comprises three suites. Each ...

Taylor Ho Bynum & SpiderMonkey Strings: Other Stories (Three Suites)

by John Kelman
November 12, 2005

Trumpeter/composer Taylor Ho Bynum seems committed to defying those for whom music needs to be neatly compartmentalized. No surprise really, considering his association with renegade musical thinker Anthony Braxton, first coming into focus on Braxton's Composition No. 102 For Orchestra & Puppet Theater (Braxton House, 1996) and appearing with Braxton's sextet at the Musique Actuelle Festival in Victoriaville, Canada this past summer. Bynum may share Braxton's deep-rooted intellectualism and unconventional compositional processes, but his music reflects its roots more clearly ...

A Fireside Chat With Taylor Ho Bynum

by AAJ Staff
March 14, 2003

I first took notice of Taylor Ho Bynum's playing on a Trio Ex Nihilo album from a little known European label (he had done good work before, but I live in LA and we are the twelfth man on the deal team, last to know). Bynum's trumpet playing was on par with the forward thinking of European improvisers, but still versed in the melody of jazz tradition. His latest, Duets [Wesleyan] 2002, with Anthony Braxton is something else. And between ...

Taylor Ho Bynum/Eric Rosenthal: and only life my lush lament

by Derek Taylor
March 1, 2000

The track listing on this disc describes an intriguing program of standards from the likes of Strayhorn, Ellington, Rogers & Hammerstien, Coltrane and Gillespie. Those listeners familiar with the talents of these two players will recognize that the renditions of these compositions will be anything but expected and pedestrian. Ho Bynum and Rosenthal are seasoned deconstructionists. Together and separately they have made a practice of challenging the assumed protocols of jazz improvisation. Under the duo's collective hand these familiar pieces ...