Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Bill Dixon, RIP

Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but he was a jazz musician of the very first rank. Vade Mecum is an album I return to when in the mood for music that is challenging, adventurous, and anarchic, yet humble and even soothing in its highly textured fashion. Unlike most avant-garde jazz, the music simmers and bubbles, but never comes to a full boil. It still cooks. One could argue that in some ways he made the trumpet speak and sing in the human voice more compellingly than anyone since Louis Armstrong. (Photo stolen from NY Times.)

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