Anthony Braxton & Gerry Hemingway, two modern jazz legends, are reunited after many years in this 4-CD boxed set of duo improvisations for saxes with drums, various percussion, and electronics.
Hemingway joined and remained a member of the infamous Anthony Braxton quartet for eleven years from 1983 - 1994. This set documents their first recorded collaboration in 12 years.
Using an hourglass as a guide, each CD contains one 60-minute improvisation, and each improvisation is very different in character and instrumentation. These studio recordings were made at Wesleyan University in August 2007.
Released to celebrate Braxton’s 65th birthday, the recordings are packaged in cardboard slipcase with paper sleeves for the CDs. The 12-page booklet includes liner notes by Graham Lock, and is illustrated with copious photos from the recording session.
“Two people on two hot June afternoons.
A studio, an experienced and appreciative engineer.
A deep need to find music.
Total improvisation on larger music that
existed, exists and will exist as long as there are voices.”
— John Heward on recording "Voices: 10 Improvisations," in June 2006
Joe McPhee (pocket trumpet, alto sax)
Since emerging on the creative jazz and new music scene in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Joe McPhee has been a deeply emotional composer, improviser, and multi-instrumentalist, as well as a conceptualist and theoretician. He has worked with musicians ranging from Peter Brötzmann to Pauline Oliveros. McPhee has recorded for numerous labels including Hat Hut, CjR, Cadence, CIMP, Okkadisk, Music & Arts, and Victo.
John Heward (drums, kalimba, percussion)
is a Montreal-based drummer/painter/sculptor who has quietly become one of the world’s leading percussionist working in the field of contemporary improvised music, new music, and avant jazz. He has played with music luminaries including David Prentice, Glenn Spearman, Malcolm Goldstein, Joe McPhee, Dominic Duval, Lisle Ellis, Paul Bley, Joe Giardullo, and many others, who have sought him out during their Canadian sojourns. As Bill Smith of Coda put it, “John is one of Canada's foremost improvising percussionists.”
credits
released June 10, 2010
Anthony Braxton
Eb Sopranino, Bb Soprano, Eb Alto, C Melody, Eb Baritone, Bb Bass and Bb Contrabass saxophones
supported by 13 fans who also own “Old Dogs (avant09)”
There are so many reasons to love the work of William Parker and those he chooses to play with, and here it's not only his virtuosity on display, but his gracious heart and the bounty of talent accompanying him to fulfill this work of melody, soul, and poetry executed with precision and grace. Another masterstroke from the master. Why would it be any other way? ps0m
supported by 11 fans who also own “Old Dogs (avant09)”
Beautifully immersive sound experience. Not familiar enough with the mechanics of ZIM and the liner notes are pretty oblique about those but ample on the poetics and the humor (yes!) of this music. A high water mark for Braxton's music. Mr. Edison
supported by 10 fans who also own “Old Dogs (avant09)”
PRAISE THIS ALBUM & JACK O’ THE CLOCK, a band initiated & "controlled"(?) by composing multiinstrumentalist Damon Waitkus for ≥10yrs. But, how t. f..k. to describe this? Referring to other bands? Forget it. Clumsy genre-label-combinations? Worth a try: very melodic, adventurous multi-structured (fake-)Hillbilly-RIO-Fusion-singer-song ...? Very rich, intriguing, not muscular but hymnic ...?? DIG, DISCOVER & LOVE IT! (You'll probalbly get used to Damon's voice. If not? Hmh? ...) ROWIAL
Inspired by the rhythm & timbre of bellringing, “Pendulums” folds neo-classical, jazz, & even ambient music into a wondrous whole. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 12, 2021
supported by 10 fans who also own “Old Dogs (avant09)”
Difficult to name a favourite track, however if I was forced to choose an all time favourite album this would certainly be up there at the top. I'm in the UK but it was a friend in South Africa that introduced me to Gondwana. Absolutely beautiful album from start to finish, amazing musicians and composition both. Thank you, it inspires me to become a better musician. rai scott