Barry Altschul

Chick Corea – The Song of Singing

with Dave Holland & Barry Altschul

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop

Vibes: Adventure, Searching, Knotty, Intense, Mysterious, Abstract, Complex, Energetic, Impressionistic

Musical Qualities: Virtuosic, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Acoustic, Instrumental, Dissonant, Thematic, Technical

Paul Bley Trio – Closer

Paul Bley (Piano); Steve Swallow (Upright Bass); Barry Altschul (Drums)

Style: Post-Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz

Vibes: Mysterious, Playful, Impressionistic, Exploratory, Reflective, Intimate, Morning

Musical Qualities: Sparse, Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Lo-Fi

Anthony Braxton – The Complete Braxton 1971

Style: Modern Creative, Avant-Garde Jazz, Chamber Jazz

Moods: Cryptic, Cerebral, Mystical, Suspenseful, Ritualistic, Deconstructed, Responsive, Abstract, Open

Musical Qualities: Poly-Free Improvisation, Acoustic, Dynamic, Thematic, Chamber, Complex

Instrumentation: Saxophones (Sopranino, Alto), Bass Clarinet, Piano, Flute, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Tuba, Drums, Percussion, Fluegelhorn

Julius Hemphill – ‘Coon Bid’ness

Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Modern Creative

Vibe: Suspenseful, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Open, Abstract, Bluesy (Side B)

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Polyphonic, Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Rhythmic, Acoustic, Instrumental

Anthony Braxton – Five Pieces 1975

Released in 1975 on Arista Records Format: LP Syle:  Avant-Garde Jazz Vibe: Cerebral, Complex, Exploratory, Impressionistic Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Innovative, Melodic, Technical Personell: Anthony Braxton (Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute), Kenny Wheeler (Trumpet, Flugelhorn), Dave Holland (Upright Bass), Barry Altschul (Drums)

Circle – Paris-Concert

While more cerebral than emotive, this live set is a frenzied demonstration of what four virtuosic musicians sound like when they give in to the intuitive whims of collective improvisation. Even when playing a composition, this quartet will stretch and mutate the melody into every possible pattern without ever playing it directly. The group interplay is often bombastic and can be overwhelming, but thankfully they vary the dynamics through mellower sections, as well as solo and duo pieces.

Dave Holland Quartet – Conference of the Birds

While living in London I had an apartment with a small garden. During he summer around 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning, just as the day began, Birds would gather here one by one and sing together, each declaring its freedom in song. It is my wish to share the same spirit with other musicians and communicate it to the people. -Dave Holland