A Lark Ascending Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Whilst putting together some lessons on the impact of WWII on the Civil Rights Movement I came across: http://www.blackww2museum.org/BillDixon-TapsToJazz.htm Thought it might be of interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks for posting that Bev. I'd be curious to know how your students might react to Dixon's recollections, if you use them in class. I got a kick out of these quotes near the end: "I studied music because I was interested in music. I never intended to become a musician to become a musician, but before you know it, you're in it," said Dixon. "Music is still a mystery to me. I don't totally understand it." "There were doors closed and you were not admitted. ... I've done all those things that I was not supposed to do and I am known today for a thing that has affected music very profoundly. There is a way that I do things that other people now follow," said Dixon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted September 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm only using the first half up to 1945 - it's a nice first hand exemplar of what they're reading about elsewhere. Though they have been treated to Big Bill Broonzy ('Black Brown and White') this week and will get a dose of Josh White ('Uncle Sam Says') in the lesson that Mr. Dixon makes an appearance. Lots of scope for Mingus, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Coltrane etc later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Late Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks for posting that, Bev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 That would possibly explain why he was such an irascible fart in the mid Sixties when I had more than my fill of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted September 21, 2008 Report Share Posted September 21, 2008 Here's an interesting interview with Bill Dixon: http://www.onefinalnote.com/features/2002/dixon/ Did a search and couldn't find it posted here previously. Apologies if it has been posted before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 That would possibly explain why he was such an irascible fart in the mid Sixties when I had more than my fill of him. Whether you got along with him or not, Chris, shouldn't distract from his importance to this music. Thanks for posting, Bev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 That would possibly explain why he was such an irascible fart in the mid Sixties when I had more than my fill of him. Whether you got along with him or not, Chris, shouldn't distract from his importance to this music. Thanks for posting, Bev. You are right, but I never thought much of his music,at least not as it was in the mid-Sixties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Barton Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 The new release on AUM Fidelity by Dixon is fascinating. Unless I'm mistaken it's his first large ensemble recording (at least under his own name) in a long, long time. It's 17 Musicians in Search of a Sound: Darfur. I haven't had a chance to digest it in depth yet, but first impressions are very positive indeed. Anyone (like myself) who is inordinately fond of lower register instruments will love this group: bassoon, bass clarinet, Bb contrabass clarinet, bari sax, bass sax, double bass, cello... Gorgeous compositions and arrangements... Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 That would possibly explain why he was such an irascible fart in the mid Sixties when I had more than my fill of him. Whether you got along with him or not, Chris, shouldn't distract from his importance to this music. Thanks for posting, Bev. You are right, but I never thought much of his music,at least not as it was in the mid-Sixties. Well, he's still making music that you might do well to at least give a spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 FWIW, there was a great story/interview w/ Dixon in Wire two issues back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 FWIW, I loved Dixon's music from the beginning. The quartet record with Shepp was acquired while I was still in school. I think the RCA lp was a minor masterpiece. But, like Chris, I had lousy dealings with him (mine in the early '70s) and from what I hear from friends involved in his Chicago appearances, he is still that guy. Blame the system or blame Bill Dixon - he's still a first class jerk in my book. I still buy and listen to his music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat5 Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 (edited) The interview in mp3 form http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/1126/ Edited September 22, 2008 by flat5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 ..here are a couple shots I made of him about a year ago.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 ...and one more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 FWIW, there was a great story/interview w/ Dixon in Wire two issues back. Yeah, it was nice. I did a pretty extensive piece slated for STN that due to reasons I won't get into here, got shelved (not Bill). Hopefully it will see the proper light of day. Bill's not an "easy" person to deal with, but nor is his music "easy." I approach him and his work with the same ears, and it has worked out very well. Of course, that was purely from a writer's standpoint and not a producer's or a record label's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 A friend told me that Nate Wooley posted on Facebook that Bill Dixon has died. I have no further details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 It seems to be true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Would hate to see a confirmation of this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyles Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Possible confirmation. improvised communications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmce Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/06/16/rip-experimental-jazz-trumpeter-bill-dixon/ An unfortunate direction for this thread to take. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I talked with his wife this morning and the news is true. I am heartbroken. RIP, Bill - you were a friend and mentor to so many, myself included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewHill Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Aww man, not Bill Dixon!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Thanks, Mr. Dixon. I'll keep enjoying what you left us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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