The Abdul Wadud Ensemble, Studio WIS, N.Y.C., 1980

I recently discussed my adoration for Abdul Wadud over at The Hum. While I was writing the previous entry on Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, I came across this incredible recording from 1980 of Wadud’s Ensemble. It’s short, but packed with remarkable sounds. Apparently a full recording of the evening exists. I hope it sees the light of day. The performers are Abdul Wadud, Joe Daley, Warren Smith, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Hafiz Shabbaz, Bill Cole, and others. Studio WIS was a prominent venue during New York’s Loft era of Free-Jazz – run by the percussionist Warren Smith. Enjoy and cross you fingers for more.

a ballad for kalaparusha maurice mcintyre

Many years ago, when first I encounter Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and was working through the catalog of their early gestures, I found myself reading the back of Anthony Braxton’s Three Compositions Of New Jazz. The album was the forth in a serious of recordings by members of the collective, proceeded by Roscoe Mitchell’s ‎– Sound, Joseph Jarman’s ‎– Song For, and Muhal Richard Abrams’ ‎– Levels And Degrees Of Light. Buried in its exploratory text, was the mention of a young tenor saxophonist, Maurice McIntyre, who Braxton believed to be the most important since John Coltrane.

Continue reading “a ballad for kalaparusha maurice mcintyre” →

terry riley live in the 70’s

This appears to be part of the same document as the previous post.

an incredible film document of pandit pran nath, la monte young, marian zazeela, and terry riley live in the 70s

In the spirit of the last post, I thought I should pass this along.

a collection of photos of la monte young & co

I’m a big La Monte Young fan. The number of hours I’ve spent with his recordings, and immersed in the Dream House, is incalculable. I’ve seen him sing on a number of occasions, and go to see performances of his music whenever I can. He has shaped the way I hear. Continue reading “a collection of photos of la monte young & co” →

Ian MacKaye & Steve Albini in conversation

Ian MacKaye and Steve Albini are two musicians who have helped sculpt my relationship to music and the world around me. Their music, thoughts, and words have punctuated my life. I first encountered Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, Big Black, Rapeman, and Shellac during my adolescent immersion into the world of Punk and Hardcore, and have remained a steadfast fan of each effort ever since. Continue reading “Ian MacKaye & Steve Albini in conversation” →

the marvel of the child prodigy u. srinivas

I am devoted to Indian Classical music. Two of my most ambitious pieces of writing on The Hum were dedicated to it – Introductions to Indian Classical Music Part 1 and Part 2. My collecting of this music often borders on obsessive – something not helped by the rarity of recordings in the West. Among the scarcest and most sought after are by the child prodigy mandolin player U Srinivas.

Continue reading “the marvel of the child prodigy u. srinivas” →

Steve Reich at UC Berkeley University Museum 11/7/70

An amazing live document from November 7th 1970 by the Steve Reich Ensemble of Four Organs, My Name Is, Piano Phase, and Phase Patterns at The UC Berkeley University Museum. The performers are Steve Reich, Steve Chambers, Warner Jepson, Art Murphy, and John Gibson.

at home with morton subotnick and joan la barbara

Continuing the spirit of the last post on Joan La Barbara – here’s a video from a while back. It’s a lovely window into the shared life of two remarkable members of the NY avant-garde. Let their lives be lesson.

the beauty of joan la barbara (scores and photographs)

I’m a huge fan of Joan La Barbara. Her LP The Voice Is The Original Instrument is one of my favorite documents of the 1970’s NY avant-garde. La Barbara is a master of advanced vocal technique. In addition to her own remarkable creative output, she’s had a long career working with many of the greatest names in avant-garde composition – John Cage, Robert Ashley, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, Alvin Lucier, Gordon Mumma, David Behrman, David Tudor, and her husband Morton Subotnick. In my wanderings around the internet I’ve come across some of her wonderful scores and images of performances etc. I thought I’d pass them along. To see and learn more visit her website. Continue reading “the beauty of joan la barbara (scores and photographs)” →

The Hum Blog

a blog for the-hum.com

Author: bradfordbailey