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About World Saxophone Quartet
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
World Saxophone Quartet with African Drums: Four Now
by AAJ Staff
The WSQ, which has performed as a unit since '76, has generated a mountain of excellent recordings on the Black Saint and Elektra labels. In late '95, the same year that founding member Julius Hemphill died, the quartet recorded its first Justin Time record with John Purcell taking Hemphill's place. As a result of Purcell joining the group, the other members were freed to play other instruments outside the earlier paradigm of two altos, a tenor, and a baritone sax. ...
Continue ReadingWorld Saxophone Quartet: Requiem For Julius
by Glenn Astarita
Requiem For Julius is a truly exceptional homage to the late great saxophonist/composer and cofounder of the “World Saxophone Quartet" - Julius Hemphill and may indeed represent one of the finest “WSQ" recordings in recent years. From the opening moments of famed drummer/composer Jack DeJohnette's rhythmically and melodically enticing composition, “Ebony" along with the subtle intricacies and complex big band style horn charts found on “All Praise" it becomes apparent that “WSQ" is performing within the classic framework and spirited ...
Continue ReadingWorld Saxophone Quartet: M'Bizo
by Derrick A. Smith
M’Bizo ’s reason for existence is twofold and intertwined. “The M’Bizo Suite” itself was written and choreographed specifically for a 1998 World Cup Carnavalcade held in northern France; this accounts for the theme of European-Asian-African unity, and may help explain the heartening robustness of the disc. As explained by David Murray in the liners, the album is also “for all those great musicians who had to leave their homeland, for those who were able to return and for those who ...
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