Alexander Hawkins

I did a gig once with Evan and John, and can't remember whether it was Tony Marsh or Louis Moholo-Moholo on drums...anyway, what I do remember is John losing a string within 5 minutes of the first set starting. Obviously, the guy's such a master (I don't use the word lightly) that I needed to see it; I *certainly* couldn't hear it!

Wow, yes...hadn't heard about this, but I'll ask a couple of people..!

I don't know the answer to the question with any certainty, but my strong assumption is that these discographies are incorrect...I'm not aware that Ogun has ever licensed to other labels (it doesn't strike me as the Ogun way of things)...again, I could be wrong, but...

Ah, sorry about that...sure thing - will pass it on. Fwiw in future - I believe all the releases exist in a physical form; and 95% of those are CD...but yes, I'll mention it!

Thank you! It's a fun band for sure...we did a short tour just before Christmas, and it was a LOT of fun...Dom is really an amazing musician...

That's really kind, thanks Bev...it's was really nice of Babel to run that advert for sure...I hope it convinces at least a handful of people to check it out

I was lucky enough to hang out with Anthony Davis for a couple of days when he came to the London Jazz Festival with Wadada last year...a really great guy, and his playing was magnificent. In addition to those mentioned, I love albums like 'Of Blues and Dreams' (w/Jenkins, Wadud, Pheeroan - in other words, what could possibly go wrong?)...and actually, 'Lady of the Mirrors' is one of the absolutely top drawer of solo piano albums I can think of...love him as sideman too, whether with Wadada (Golden Quartet; but 'Song of Humanity' is a real favourite too), or on that Braxton quartet album with Helias/Blackwell...

On a side note - there's also that Derek Bailey/Min Tanaka collaboration, 'Music and Dance'...plus some footage here.

Oh yes - I love this record!

Let me post here that track 2 from Decoy with Joe McPhee is among the most powerful improv pieces I've heard over the past couple of years. Wow, thank you so much - that's really kind of you. Fingers crossed we're about to tie-up a couple of dates with Joe for next year...such an honour to make music with him!

BTW - nice interview with Louis...

Beautiful group...I have Evan to thank for a great deal, not least that subbing for Steve in this group some years back was when I first met and got to play with Louis! The many hours I've spent in the car with Louis on the way to gigs have been an amazing education...so many stories....

Absolutely - I love this record...what a player!

Wow - this is extremely kind, thank you...I'm really flattered you enjoy them!!!

I think Navigation is really extraordinary. 4 versions may seem a lot, but actually gives a really great window on how the piece works...Yes, you can definitely hear the different 'sub-compositions' within the 'master' composition...it's nothing at all like (for example) 4 different realisations of a very loose graphic score; the different architectures/roadmaps here are totally apparent, and none the less intriguing because of that. Taylor's a friend of mine, so I have to declare that interest, but by the same token, could just keep my mouth shut...but I say *please* check it out to anyone even remotely curious!

I'm currently checking out Keefe Jackson's Likely So - 'A Round Goal' on Delmark...really fantastic...one of the most interesting records I've heard in ages.

Wow - thank you...I hope there's something of interest I don't want to derail the thread, but on the subject of the Convergence Quartet, I just uploaded these two nicely filmed clips of a recent London gig...repertoire we then recorded in the studio the next day...anyway, maybe of interest! Something from the first set, and something from the second...

One of the masters. So much wonderful music...for anyone who has never heard it, please listen to Starless and Bible Black...those who already have will be listening again in any case...

Thanks so much everyone for the kind comments - really appreciate people checking it out! Please do let me know if any trouble at all obtaining it - I do have some copies myself which I can sell if that'd be easier for anyone (although I'm on the road most of next week, so I wouldn't be able to post anything Wednesday-Saturday...)

Interesting! I'm not sure that I've met her or come across this project...given my social science-ish background though, I'd be fascinated to meet and chat with her...

I know it's not quite answering the question, in a sense - but Cecil Taylor's are brilliant...

I was lucky enough to be able to juggle things to catch all three nights. Absolutely spectacular...difficult to articulate the cumulative impact of a three-night residency like that. Each night was very different. The second was incredibly daring - lots of major risks taken, with the live, 'real-time' shaping of the performance particularly dramatic...the third night struck me as the most beautiful, but this may also have been to do with it feeling like a 'culmination'... It was great to catch up with Wadada, and as a pianist, I was psyched to get to hang out with Anthony Davis for a couple of hours too...similarly great to meet John Lindberg and Anthony Brown. Also - one of the most successful uses of visuals with music I have seen...Jessie Gilbert was great. Anyway, I guess it's not often you see a performance which forces you to rethink things...but this was such an event, and it'll take some time to digest!

I've got to say - the new Taylor Ho Bynum thing is completely remarkable...would unreservedly recommend to anyone even remotely interested!

Oh, thank you for posting...this is vey kind of them! I can endorse their choice with a completely clear conscience, of course - whatever nonsense I end up playing, there will still be a genius in the drum chair

Ah, thanks! Hmmm...I feel sure Steve joined them on the live shows...I'll ask him.