Collier, Graham - Workpoints 2 x CDs
SKU
Rune 213/214
Called "A pioneer...a true British jazz original." by The Times, "An inventive and underrated jazz figure" by Jazziz and "Britain's most original jazz talent." by The Financial Times, Graham Collier is one of the best known British jazz composers, and over a 40 year career, his list of compositions and comissions has grown to encompass ensembles around the world.
He was born in Tynemouth, England in 1937. He won a Downbeat scholarship to Berklee School of Music, Boston, studying with Herb Pomeroy and becoming its first British graduate in 1963. Returning to Britain, he formed the first of many line-ups known as Graham Collier Music, which over the years has featured a vast majority of all British jazz musicians of note. He was also the first receipient of a grant from the Art's Council of Great Britain for jazz composition; basically his work was so impressive that it forced the dowdy music establishment to take jazz seriously for the first time, which led to other deserving UK musicians also having a chance to be supported for their art in the jazz world!
Workpoints consists of two previously unreleased concerts from 'a golden age of British jazz': one from 1968 and one from 1975. The music is composed with lots of room for contributions from the individual players, and in that regard, might be comparable to the work of one of Graham's heroes, Charles Mingus.
The album features a huge number of well known jazz musicians, such as: Harry Beckett, Mike Gibbs, Karl Jenkins, Frank Ricotti, Henry Lowther, John Marshall, John Surman, Art Themen, Kenny Wheeler and others. Included in the booklet are archival photos, notes and comments from Graham.
- LabelCuneiform
- UPC045775021324