Just came in my email from a friend. Will be trying to make one if not all 5 nights. At the moment it's a 45% chance of my making my way to NY. It's only times like this that I wish I was living in NYC.

Cecil is 75 and still the most intense piano player in music. I have seen shows in which his fingers were bleeding after a performance. Not only did he influence those on the piano he also influenced many a drummer. He basically treats the piano as a percussion instrument.






Cecil Taylor Big Band 75th Birthday Celebration At The Iridium Jazz Club March 23-28

Taylor Ho Bynum (trumpet) Stephen Haynes (trumpet) Amir El Saffar (trumpet), Jeff Hoyer (trombone) Steve Swell (trombone), Bill Lowe (bass trombone/tuba) Marshal Allen (alto sax), Bobby Zankel (alto sax) Sabir mateen (tenor sax) Elliot levin (tenor sax), Will Connell (alto sax, bass clarinet, flute) J. D. Parran (bass sax), Dominic Duval (bass) Jackson Krall (drums)

Cecil Taylor (March 15, 1929) is an indomitable musical spirit. One of the true originals of American music; a towering giant who sits atop the Mt. Rushmore of modern jazz giants - Bird, Trane, Miles, Ornette and Cecil. His contributions to the canon of improvised music cannot be disputed as has been documented on numerous recordings that have included collaborations with John Coltrane, Steve Lacy and Max Roach. His influence in free jazz circles has been absorbed in Europe too, where he has performed and recorded with some of the most important free jazz players on the Continent.


His ferocious playing is so trail-blazing that it made more of an effect on the whole concept of rhythm than all but a few drummers. His blending of jazz and modern classical sensibilities set both traditions on their ear and were never the same since then. Along with Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane, Taylor helped to usher in a turning point in the history of the music. Avant and free jazz would be unthinkable without his innovations and it's a testament to his work that it is still part of the mainstream with many performers today.

Now celebrating 50 years as a recording artist, Taylor also celebrates his 75th birthday with his BIG BAND at Iridium this week! Not content to rest on his much deserved laurels, Taylor practices piano constantly and always regales crowds with new pieces. He is a one-man multi-media presentation as he sings, chants, reads poetry, dances and plays the piano with phenomenal power, speed and intensity.

I wish I could be there...but NY...that's like more then 10000 miles away or something

Damnit! Just my luck that I'm currently attending school in Georgia -- normally it would only be a few hours drive!

However, I may just be able to attend this:

http://www.acmefestival.com/

April 1-4 -- Ken Vandermark's ACME festival. Peter Brötzmann will be performing!!!

This is an incredible set of performances. I might be heading my way there as well, especially to see Mats Gustafsson's The Thing & Joe McPhee and the Brotzmann Tentet. I am surprised that the AALY trio won't be peforming, since the musicians will be there as part of their other groups.


thursday, april 1st @ the 40 watt club
8:00pm » Atomic
9:30pm » Peter Brötzmann/Nasheet Waits duo
11:00pm » ad hoc group organized by Joe Morris

friday, april 2nd @ venue tba
8:00pm » Joe Morris solo
9:30pm » The Thing & Joe McPhee
11:00pm » ad hoc group organized by Peter Brötzmann
12:30am » Atomic/School Days

saturday, april 3rd @ the 40 watt club
3:00pm » Free Fall
4:30pm » Triage
6:00pm » Joe McPhee solo
8:00pm » Vandermark 5
9:30pm » Joe Maneri trio
11:00pm » ad hoc group organized by Kent Kessler
12:30pm » Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet

sunday, april 4th @ Athens Institute for Contemporary Art
3:00pm » School Days
4:30pm » Joe Maneri/Mat Maneri duo
6:00pm » Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet
8:00pm » afterfest party

I think I'm even further away from New York than you.

Being in Australia and all.

D'oh.

I love Cecil Taylor