Historic concert on CD
In March 1968 an all-star band gathered together to perform ‘Workpoints’, a composition by Graham Collier and the first Arts Council commission from a jazz composer, a grant that led to continuing support for jazz from the arts establishment. A recording of that concert will be released in May by the American label Cuneiform Records on a double CD that will also include contemporary photos and reviews.
The musicians involved were Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, Henry Lowther on trumpets, Chris Smith, Mike Gibbs and John Mumford on trombones, Dave Aaron, John Surman and Karl Jenkins, reeds, Frank Ricotti, vibes, John Marshall, drums and composer Graham Collier bass. Collier also led the band on the second CD, a stunning sextet concert recording from 1975 featuring Beckett again, with Art Themen, Roger Dean, Ed Speight and John Webb.
Graham Collier is still active as a jazz composer, with visits to bands around the world in his diary, and as an author, and is working on a new book, The Jazz Composer. More information at www.jazzcontinuum.com
He is available for interview, by telephone from his home in southern Spain. Contact his representative John Gill at [email protected] for more information and for copies of the record.
Some of the original reviews of Workpoints
‘Collier’s music manages to be outfront and avant-garde, yet easily assimilable by anyone who has ever listened to jazz.’ Valerie Wilmer, Down Beat
‘The whole approach seemed so suited to jazz that one wondered how it has been overlooked, which is perhaps the highest tribute one can pay.’ Ron Atkins, The Guardian
‘Workpoints is perhaps the first important piece of evidence for Graham Collier’s claim to be a true jazz composer.’ Brian Priestley, Jazz Monthly
‘Charles Mingus, one of Collier’s heroes, would have enjoyed this tremendously.’ Thomas Laurence, The Melody Maker
In March 1968 an all-star band gathered together to perform ‘Workpoints’, a composition by Graham Collier and the first Arts Council commission from a jazz composer, a grant that led to continuing support for jazz from the arts establishment. A recording of that concert will be released in May by the American label Cuneiform Records on a double CD that will also include contemporary photos and reviews.
The musicians involved were Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, Henry Lowther on trumpets, Chris Smith, Mike Gibbs and John Mumford on trombones, Dave Aaron, John Surman and Karl Jenkins, reeds, Frank Ricotti, vibes, John Marshall, drums and composer Graham Collier bass. Collier also led the band on the second CD, a stunning sextet concert recording from 1975 featuring Beckett again, with Art Themen, Roger Dean, Ed Speight and John Webb.
Graham Collier is still active as a jazz composer, with visits to bands around the world in his diary, and as an author, and is working on a new book, The Jazz Composer. More information at www.jazzcontinuum.com
He is available for interview, by telephone from his home in southern Spain. Contact his representative John Gill at [email protected] for more information and for copies of the record.
Some of the original reviews of Workpoints
‘Collier’s music manages to be outfront and avant-garde, yet easily assimilable by anyone who has ever listened to jazz.’ Valerie Wilmer, Down Beat
‘The whole approach seemed so suited to jazz that one wondered how it has been overlooked, which is perhaps the highest tribute one can pay.’ Ron Atkins, The Guardian
‘Workpoints is perhaps the first important piece of evidence for Graham Collier’s claim to be a true jazz composer.’ Brian Priestley, Jazz Monthly
‘Charles Mingus, one of Collier’s heroes, would have enjoyed this tremendously.’ Thomas Laurence, The Melody Maker
For more information contact All About Jazz.
