Saturday 10th June 2023, 11:00 PM – The Art of the Improvisers.
The American composer, arranger, theorist, pianist, drummer and bandleader George Russell (1923-2009) had an influence on a number of jazz musicians that cannot be overestimated, and thus on the development of jazz. In 1953 his book Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization was published, in which he presents a detailed theory about the relationship between scales (horizontal, melody) and harmony (vertical, chords). Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and others were immediately interested. Russell’s theory opened a path to modal jazz.
On his groundbreaking debut album The Jazz Workshop from 1957, we hear Russell’s compositions in a sextet line-up, including trumpeter Art Farmer and pianist Bill Evans.
“Surpasses any musical knowledge I’ve been exposed to” (Ornette Coleman) is one of the many enthusiastic reactions by jazz musicians to Russell’s music theory. And similar reactions even in the domain of composed art music, such as those of the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu: “I’ve been strongly influenced by the Lydian Concept, which is not simply a musical method – we might call it a philosophy of music , or we might call it poetry.” The masterpiece ‘Kind of Blue’ by Miles Davis, and the equally legendary ‘Giant Steps’ by John Coltrane – both from 1959 – are imbued with Russell’s ideas.
For his pieces on The Jazz Workshop, Russell only needs a short playing time to make his point. Nine of the twelve titles remain under four minutes. They are captivating from the first bars. And you soon think: where is that going….… The central parts, with the improvisde choruses for the soloists, are more relaxed. Concerto for Billy the Kid is a vehicle, a frame, for pianist Bill Evans. Evans plays here, as in the other pieces, extremeley percussively.
In addition to the five pieces from The Jazz Workshop, you will hear Russell’s work performed by the orchestras of Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy DeFranco, Artie Shaw, and a large orchestra conducted by Russell himself.
In short: a richly filled program that deserves to be listened to with utmost concentration!
To be continued. Details in The Guide.
The Art of the Improvisers – Bert Broere
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