Few principles in jazz have remained as willfully esoteric as harmolodic theory, the concept introduced by Ornette Coleman's Prime Time in the 1970s. All these years later, the precepts still cause scattered confusion among music theorists. Thankfully we have Jamaaladeen Tacuma, electric bassist and unfailingly soulful free-funk prophet; and James “Blood" Ulmer, guitarist, blues wailer and harmolodic sage. The former was essentially the backbone of Prime Time, and has authored a handful of stirring recordings since (none more vital than Show Stopper, his 1982 Gramavision debut). At the Newport Jazz Festival a few weeks ago, Tacuma was the fly in Bill Cosby's ointment, issuing the only truly visionary solo of a sprawling set by the Cos' band of all-stars. As for Blood, he's a wildcard: a mess of free jazz, funk, Delta blues and Memphis soul (dig the spine-tingling Memphis Blood on Label M, produced by Vernon Reid). This meeting will be the last (and possibly greatest) salvo of the summer. --Nate Chinen
Jamaaladeen's DNA Galleria, Featuring Guitarist, James Blood Ulmer G.Calvin Weston - Drums, Mrs. Fostina Dixon - Saxophones
Club Tritone
1508 South St
Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday Night, August 31, 2002
Showtime 9:30 P.M.
Ticket Price: $15.00
Tel: 215-922-2757 or 215-545-0475
Email: [email protected]
For more information contact All About Jazz.
