Faruq Z. Bey

[Lazaro Vega]

From Michael Johnston:

everyone on our zwoods mailing list,

Since Faruq passed away last spring we've received a lot of email sent through our web site from friends and fans of Faruq. The most obvious thing is how deeply Faruq touched peoples lives through his uncompromising personality and musical path. In all of the exchanges with different people a few videos of performances turned up. We wanted to share a couple of pieces that feature Faruq in top form. We also selected pieces that we have quality multitrack recordings of. We mixed the pieces to stereo and Tim O'Brien synchronized them with the videos and prepared them for you tube. The sound quality is excellent on these.

"Memories" is from a concert in 2003 at Central Michigan University Library Auditorium. The version is different than the released version on "Asharai Pattern". Faruq subtly quotes a couple of Tranes lines from a Love Supreme in his solo. Nate Grambeau filmed this tune with a friend using 3 cameras and painstakingly edited it together.

Faruq Z. Bey - tenor Mike Carey- tenor Mike Gilmore- vibes Mike Johnston- bass Nick Ashton- drums

"Vines" was filmed in the fall of 2003 at Delta College. Tim O'Brien was recording the concert live and set up a small cam corder in the balcony and captured a few pieces. We seldom ever determined solo order for our performances and recordings. Faruq takes 3 solos (counting the intro) during this version of "Vines" ( a different version than was released on "Auzar"). It was rare for anyone to ever take more than 1 solo on a piece.

Faruq Z. Bey- tenor (right) Mike Carey- tenor (center) Skeeter C. R. Shelton- tenor (left) Mike Gilmore- marimba Mike Johnston- bass Nick Ashton- drums

We hope you enjoy these, Mike Johnston Northwoods Improvisers

[Stefan Wood]

Thanks for the links. Loved his playing!

[Lazaro Vega]

Will be seeing a tribute to Faruq this Saturday at Edge Fest in Ann Arbor.