The music of Fred Anderson: written or improvised?

[colinmce]

I have been on a huge Fred Anderson kick lately. One thing I've always wondered is if his music contains any written material, or if it's entirely improvised. It sure sounds like the latter, but I can't be sure. The notes I've read from several albums don't really speak to this, nor does anything else I've read on him. I'm sure Chuck knows the answer; anyone else?

[uli]

here is an interesting article by Paul Steinbeck who co-authored the exercise book with Fred that's mentioned in the article

http://www.criticalimprov.com/article/view/1020/1860

Edited April 20, 2014 by uli

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting that article, Uli.

MG

[johnblitweiler]

Thanks for the link to the Steinbeck article. Steinbeck is valuable. There were occasional exceptions to the general rule that Fred improvised entire performances, like 2 evenings when he played Ornette Coleman songs - once when he and Hamid played with Charlie Haden, once when he helped me peddle my Ornette book. Uli, how long did Fred and Ajaramu play together (beginning sometime in the '80s) and were they playing Fred's own songs some of the time?

[Larry Kart]

here is an interesting article by Paul Steinbeck who co-authored the exercise book with Fred that's mentioned in the article

http://www.criticalimprov.com/article/view/1020/1860

Many thanks for this.

[uli]

Uli, how long did Fred and Ajaramu play together (beginning sometime in the '80s) and were they playing Fred's own songs some of the time?

I don't really know, John. I came to Chicago 1990 and think I heard him only once playing wIth AJ in a afterfest jam. iirc he regularly played with Tatsu Aoki and Afifi Phillard in the early 90ies.

[David Ayers]

Very interesting article and thanks for the link.

In fact you don't see many pieces that get into the nuts and bolts of restructured jazz quite in this way - at least, I don't see them, but what do I know...

Edited April 22, 2014 by David Ayers

[Clunky]

I was searching a thread dedicated to Fred Anderson and this wa the only one I could find. I've been enjoying a number of titles by FA recently including Missing Link, Milwaukee Tapes Vol1 , Duets 2001. I was looking for later recommendations , there seem to be a number of Okka Disk titles which look pretty intersting. The one with Kowald & Drake looks to be good but I'd welcome any thoughts on later Fred Anderson.

[niels]

The disc with Kowald & Drake is fantastic, can't go wrong with that one. That being said, I think Blue Winter (on Eremite) is my favorite Fred Anderson album in my collection.

[colinmce]

A) There is no Fred Anderson album that's not worth owning, so in a sense you can't go wrong!

My favorite, though, is Black Horn Long Gone from 1993 with Malachai Favors & Ajaramu. The two niels mentioned are obviously very strong. I would also put in a good word for Destiny & the DKV trio (both Okka), as well as Staying In the Game, his last.

[Steve Reynolds]

2 days in April with Kidd Jordan, WP & HD includes maybe the best recorded Fred Anderson solo EVER "hidden" within these 2 amazing discs.

On eremite - recorded live 1999

When you get the recording, let me know if you find the solo:)

Yes - Blue Winter is a great recording with Anderson in more relaxed later form. Drake and Parker are sublime and the actual recording is as good as recorded jazz gets. Recorded December 2004.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Steve Reynolds

[relyles]

The Great Vision Concert on Ayler with Harrison Bankhead is the definition of sublime.

[mjazzg]

I'm afraid to say, especially in this company, that I've not got on with a number of Anderson's discs. The very definite exception is "From The River To The Ocean" on Thrill Jockey. Definitely thrilling

[JSngry]

My first, and still my favorite.

[paul secor]

Two favorites:

Vintage Duets (Okka Disk)

Duets 2001 (Thrill Jockey)

Edited April 15, 2015 by paul secor

[.:.impossible]

I really love the McCall duets.

[clifford_thornton]

For some reason have never had the McCall duets, which is absurd to realize.

[Steve Reynolds]

For some reason have never had the McCall duets, which is absurd to realize.

Same situation here

[colinmce]

$14 to your door!

[jlhoots]

Dark Day is one I like.

[clifford_thornton]

$14 to your door!

I thought it was way OOP.

[colinmce]

No sir:

http://okkadisk.com/titles.html

& amend that to $13!

[clifford_thornton]

nice.

[johnblitweiler]

Usually Fred Anderson improvised on his own songs before, say, the 1990s - he had good musicians like Bill Brimfield, Douglas Ewart, George Lewis to play them with him in the 1970s. By the end of the last century he typically improvised entire concerts. I believe the reason the AACM kicked him out once or twice was because he played themes by non-AACM composers in AACM concerts.

[David Ayers]

I believe the reason the AACM kicked him out once or twice was because he played themes by non-AACM composers in AACM concerts.

Amusing.

Leads to the reverse question - which AACM-descended compositions have been adopted by non-AACM musicians?