KAHIL EL’ZABAR QUARTET WITH DAVID MURRAY BELMONT HOTEL, JULY 29
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That’s how I explain David Murray’s recent, seemingly inexplicable rash of bad taste. Back in the 70s and 80s Murray was an uncompromising musician. He released important solo records like Conceptual Saxophone (Cadillac) and searing trio records like 3-D Family (Hat Art). His octet records, Ming and Home (both Black Saint), show how much thinking he was doing, both as a player and as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. Then, at the beginning of this decade, Murray hooked up with Bob Thiele and his Red Baron label.
Murray has continued to make substantive records at the same time, including a fantabulous duo with 60s drum pioneer Milford Graves, appropriately dubbed Real Deal (DIW). And some of Murray’s best work in the last few years has been with Chicago percussionist Kahil El’Zabar. His recent appearance with El’Zabar, bassist Malachi Favors Maghostut, and pianist Jodie Christian proved that those ill-conceived encounters with Thiele haven’t doused his fire or dimmed his imagination.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Lloyd DeGrane.
