The art of the Improviser; third episode about saxophonist Kazutoki Umezu (1949). Umezu is an eclectic, energetic, lively musician; which we will hear in this series. His examples are Eric Dolphy and Rashaan Roland Kirk. After fanatically taking music lessons in Japan, he lived in New York City in 1974-1975. There, he played with Sunny Murray, Lester Bowie and Oliver Lake, among others. Over time he often returned to New York and played with many musicians from the downtown scene around the Knitting Factory, such as Marc Ribot, Tom Cora, Curtis Fowlkes and Wayne Horvitz.
In addition, he played with diverse musicians and ensembles such as B.B. King, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Ian Dury and El Negro Horacio Hernandez.
In this episode, music by Third Person, the trio formed by cellist Tom Cora and percussionist Samm Bennett. In the early days of this trio, it played with a changing guest, the third person. The collaboration with Kazutoki Umezu was so pleasant that he became the permanent Third Person.
Third Person Feat. Kazutoki Umezu – Trick Moon (Tsuki No Uso Records 1990)
Third Person – Lucky Water (Knitting Factory Works 1994)
