Avant-Garde

Exit Interview: Charlie Looker on the Life and Death of Extra Life

By Elliott Sharp Fri., Jan. 18 2013 at 3:21 PM
Categories: Avant-Garde, Closings

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After its Saturday night performance at 285 Kent, Extra Life will be no more. On November 13, the band shared news of the "amicable" breakup on its blog: "While it's somewhat difficult to articulate exactly why, let's just say that the inner creative momentum driving the band has stalled." In short, it's over. If you never found the time to experience the bizarre, mesmerizing, cathartic and sometimes discomforting music of Extra Life, this is your last chance.

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In Praise of David S. Ware: Remembering the Saxophone Pioneer

By Brad Cohan Mon., Jan. 7 2013 at 3:15 AM
Categories: AUM Fidelity, Avant-Garde, David S. Ware, Jazz, Tribute

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Christian Ducasse, Paris France, 2005
David S. Ware, Saxophone Colossus, Profound Spirit (1949 - 2012) ..Forever / Never to be Forgotten
With the passing of avant-garde visionary behemoth David S. Ware this past October at 62 years too young, a monumental crater was forever ingrained in the jazz lexicon. Ware, in supreme alliance with fellow trailblazers like pianist colossus Matthew Shipp and bassist/composer extraordinaire William Parker, transported downtown New York City jazz and experimentalism into a singularly adventurous "out" stratosphere of spiritual otherworldliness.

The foreboding Ware matched his physical massiveness with an equally huge sound. The New Jersey native--a Sonny Rollins disciple and Cecil Taylor collaborator--was a paint-peeling fire-breather, a prophetic soul-spewing slayer and improvisational warrior. Through the staggering host of his Quartet and solo records released by Steven Joerg's titan AUM Fidelity label, the jazz royalty trifecta of Ware/Shipp/Parker fused the avant with DIY punk ethos, which was ultimately championed by the likes of freedom music enthusiasts like Thurston Moore.

See Also:
- The Ten Best Jazz Shows in NYC This Month
- Ten Free Jazz Albums to Hear Before You Die

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