Band on Fire: The George Adams Don Pullen Quartet

The '70s and '80s were a strange time in the jazz world. Jazz-rock or fusion, was the dominant genre with electric bands like Weather Report and Return to Forever in the forefront.

There were a few musicians and groups that continued to play acoustic jazz. Charles Mingus, one of the most important composers and bandleaders, was not a fan of fusion. He formed his last great band in 1973 with pianist Don Pullen and tenor saxophonist and flutist George Adams. Each had one foot in the avant-garde and the other in swing and gospel. No electric instruments.

The George Adams Don Pullen Quartet was formed in 1979 with bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Dannie Richmond. The critic and author Mark Stryker wrote, "During the decade it lasted, from 1979 to 1989, the quartet was among the best working bands of its time."

In this hour, you'll hear Adams and Pullen with Mingus in the mid '70s followed by selections from the quartet's discography. Big Nick Nicholas told critic Stanley Crouch one night at the Village Vanguard, "This band is a bitch on roller skates, baby. They'll run you over if you ain't ready." Another commented, "Pullen and Adams go from zero to 60 in less time than a Lamborghini."