From Jeff Waye Sent Tue, Jul 20th 1999, 17:03
From Jeff Waye Sent Tue, Jul 20th 1999, 17:03
I'm not sure who the piano player was. It was a fill-in for Lester Bowie who apparently got sick at the last minute. Whoever it was alternated between horn playing and piano. As I said, with the piano playing being in the vein of Cecil Taylor (ie. jamming elbows into opposite ends of keys, sliding forearm across, etc...). The comment on the 80's is well founded, and is exactly why I didn't think the show would be any good. To many 'legends' are way past their prime when you see them at modern day jazz fests (although Pharoah Sanders and Cecil Taylor last year were just as fresh as their glory days). Always glad to have the seniors prove me wrong. If anyone knows who the mysterious '4th' Art Ensemble member was... Take Care Jeff >Who was the pianist? The Art Ensemble have never included a proper one in >their ranks (though both Cecil and Muhal Abrams have joined them for a >session here and there). I heard that cofounder Lester Bowie was >hospitalized (anyone know why?), so that might open up the possibility of >a temporary replacement.. was it Ari Brown (also plays tenor and >electronic keyboard)? > >Anyhoo, the individual talents of the Art Ensemble are still pretty >considerable (I'll give the hefty benefit of the doubt to Bowie, who >hasn't recorded anything that I've liked since the Art Ensemble started >making bad records in the very early 80s), but live they seem more like a >repertory band than an actual functioning unit. Any chance you get >to check out Roscoe Mitchell in any setting, definitely do it. He's one >of the greats and his edge is as sharp as ever. Favors was also ill for a >while (heart problems) and these guys ain't getting any younger... > > -rob >