Cyrille, Drummond, Harper play Monk

[Newk]

Just caught these guys in a free concert at the Athenaeum in Claremont, CA.

Ron Stout, David Woodley, Gary Foster, Billy Harper, Gary Smulyan, Ray Drummond, and Andrew Cyrille.

Great performance of fresh arrangements of Monk tunes. Billy Harper was blowing big. It's time to get more familiar with Billy Harper.

The whole thing was top notch and the acoustics were dead on.

Five minutes from home and absolutly free.

Edited April 5, 2005 by Newk

[RDK]

Newk - I'm envious. I was hoping to catch that show, but that early start time kills me. I caught the Moncur show last month, but it's over an hour away with rush hour traffic and I have to cut out of work early for it. I'm glad to hear it was great, but almost wished it sucked if you know what I mean. Can't say I'm too familiar with Harper, but I dig what I've heard of Cyrille and the other guys ain't bad either.

Do you who's next at Clairemont?

[SEK]

... Billy Harper ,... Andrew Cyrille....

Five minutes from home and absolutly free.

I saw Andrew Cyrille with Cecil Taylor and Jimmy Lyons in 1972 (I couldn't quite appreciate Lyons at the time, Cecil was majestic tumult, and Cyrille stole the show for me with a segment during which he used his hands, instead of sticks, to produce mesmerizing rhythm-melodies and -harmonies with his drum kit...

I've been enjoying Billy Harper's recordings since around 1975; I have almost all of them, foreign and domestic. I came close to seeing BH perform, soon after the release of "Black Saint", while visiting the (San Francisco) Bay area, but, at the last moment, I was sidetracked. I've not had the opportunity to see him since.

Newk, you're fortunate indeed. And I agree that it is time for you to become better acquainted with the music of Billy Harper.

[Adam]

I think that's it for Claremont for the immediate future (well, this semester). They had listed only those 3 concerts this semester. I missed Cyrille, Harper, et al. Only made it to Dewey Redman. That weeknight start time is problematic.

[Spontooneous]

Talked to Gary Foster last night. He was still enthusing about this show, and the experience of playing with Andrew Cyrille.

[slide_advantage_redoux]

YES!

Billy Harper has one the biggest sounds on any instrument. I first became familiar with him when I picked up a copy of Soran-Bushi.B.H. on Denon (Japanese release:1977)

That recording is so spiritually moving. I was very knocked out upon my first listening.

I am ashamed to say that I haven't tracked down more of his releases. Any recommendations? How does the one LP I have compare with others?

As a UNT alum, I was always aware of his being the first black in the Lab Band program to land a seat in the top band.

I envy anyone who has seen him perform live....and with that lineup? Wow!

Edited April 8, 2005 by slide_advantage_redoux

[JSngry]

Dude....

Give me a call.

[BFrank]

BH - ALWAYS worth seeing!

I've seen him several times in several settings. Never a bad moment.