Graham Collier has died

[Christiern]

Here is a link with more information.

[sidewinder]

Very shocked by this news. Thanks for posting, Christiern.

[A Lark Ascending]

Very sad.

I've been on a Collier binge over the last few weeks. A very distinct voice who rarely seemed to get the attention of other excellent UK modernist writer/arrangers.

He's best known for his 60s/70s work but there are some excellent recordings from recent years.

[king ubu]

Just read it elsewhere - sad. Listening to "Deep Dark Blue Centre" right now... lovely trumpet by the recently deceased Harry Beckett on "Hirayoshi Suite"! Great music all the way..

[ep1str0phy]

RIP. I'll give "Deep Dark Blue Centre" a spin, too.

[Head Man]

What sad news, just as I'm about to go to Greece for a two week holiday!

This HAS NOT made my day

[mjazzg]

I came to his music far too late - maybe even via this board but for the last few years the BGO comps have had regular spins. Simply great music

I remember his Jazz library. Such a very thoughtful and forthright commentator

Edited September 12, 2011 by mjazzg

[sidewinder]

maybe even via this board but for the last few years the BGO comps have had regular spins. Simply great music

There's another BGO twofer compilation coming up - 'Symphony of Scorpions' plus the Malcolm Lowry tribute I think.

Sadly, this happens just as Graham's music was getting some deservedly greater exposure and with much of his earlier catalogue now being reissued. A composer/arranger in the Mingus tradition from the start - and for sure one of the very best that Europe has produced.

First became aware of his music via an obscure educational LP borrowed from school back in the 70s ! - also a good overview of his work in Ian Carr's 'Music Outside'. Took some effort to find a copy of the LP, decades later.

[RogerF]

Just posted this news in the Artists section before I realised this thread had started in the Miscellaneous section. I only just heard about this and am truly gutted. Graham was one of my all-time heroes of jazz. 'Songs For My Father' is one of the albums that helped fire my interest in jazz and for that I am truly indebted to Graham. Am playing it now. RIP Graham.

[Clunky]

I regret to not knowing Collier's music at all , I did however, just a few days before his death order one of his BGO compilations because I was impressed by his contributions to Harry Beckett's Flare Up . Looking forward to hearing more.

[ejp626]

I have Deep Dark Blue Centre (ever since Whatmusic (re)issued it on CD) and a few of his other works on download (eMusic had most of them at one point). Can't say that I studied them extensively (just more of a casual listener), but I did like what I heard, esp. DDBC.

RIP.

[clifford_thornton]

This is terrible news.

[sidewinder]

This is terrible news.

Even several days later the news still leaves me totally shocked. Especially so as he was still very much active on the music front and very active on his blog and publishing endevours. It has certainly left a palpable gap on the 'scene' over here, in the same way that Harry Beckett's passing did.

[clifford_thornton]

I interviewed him earlier this year and it was quite interesting - I wrote a short article on him for the NYC Jazz Record and had hoped to have the full transcript up this summer with his blessing. Time got away from me and now he's gone. I'm not sure whether to go ahead and try to publish the text or not.

[sidewinder]

The Guardian has now made available its obituary of Graham Collier here

Clifford - maybe it is worth trying to contact John Gill and ask if it is OK to make the transcript available? It would be great if that was the case.

[clifford_thornton]

I have drafted an email to him - thanks. Not too easy to write such things.