Saxophonist Bunky Green bristles at the idea of playing by the rules. On more than one occasion, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native was on his way to jazz stardom, but each time his principles guided him elsewhere. This is a significant reason why the highly influential musician has mostly remained unsung and out of the spotlight for decades, instead focusing his energies on his role as a leading jazz educator. For the past two decades, Green has served as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of North Florida at Jacksonville.
Green's most recent recording, Apex (Pi Recordings, 2010), is an ambitious effort., a cross-generational collaboration with Rudresh Mahanthappa, a saxophonist known for his engaging hybrid approach that merges avant-garde jazz and South-Asian elements. The critically acclaimed disc has sparked a resurgence of interest in Green's career.
Anil Prasad spoke with Green about Apex, but also about his lengthy career and rubbing shoulders with artists like Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean and Sonny Stitt—more legendary in name, perhaps, but all players who found plenty to love about this unsung hero of the alto saxophone.
Check out Bunky Green: Urgency and Continuity, today at AllAboutJazz.com!
Green's most recent recording, Apex (Pi Recordings, 2010), is an ambitious effort., a cross-generational collaboration with Rudresh Mahanthappa, a saxophonist known for his engaging hybrid approach that merges avant-garde jazz and South-Asian elements. The critically acclaimed disc has sparked a resurgence of interest in Green's career.
Anil Prasad spoke with Green about Apex, but also about his lengthy career and rubbing shoulders with artists like Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean and Sonny Stitt—more legendary in name, perhaps, but all players who found plenty to love about this unsung hero of the alto saxophone.
Check out Bunky Green: Urgency and Continuity, today at AllAboutJazz.com!
Photo Credit
Mark Ladenson
For more information contact All About Jazz.
