Revolutionary Ensemble | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | 1977 | |||
Recorded | August 18, 1977 | |||
Venue | Moosham Castle, Salzburg, Austria | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 43:08 | |||
Label | Enja enja 3003 | |||
Producer | Horst Weber, Matthias Wincklemann | |||
Revolutionary Ensemble chronology | ||||
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Inner City Cover | ||||
Revolutionary Ensemble is an eponymous live album by the free jazz group consisting of violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper, which was recorded in Austria in 1977 and released on the German Enja label and in the U.S. on Inner City Records the following year. [1] [2] [3]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [5] |
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [6] |
The AllMusic review by Richard Mortifoglio stated "In retrospect, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone, and drummer Jerome Cooper's free-jazz trio, the Revolutionary Ensemble, stands as a gentler cousin to those original free-jazz collectives, Art Ensemble of Chicago and AACM, the latter of which introduced Jenkins's string playing to the scene. On this live 1977 date, each of the members doubles or triples up on other instruments so there is a variety of textures and timbres to be heard here, including kalimba, flute, and piano. Mostly it's Jenkin's fluent, fugal violin improvisations that predominate, however. At their most successful, these jams sound like a loosely strung Bach "Chaconne" accompanied by bass and drums". [4]
Bob Blumenthal, writing for The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide , commented: "Their... instrumentation is perfectly balanced and allows for maximum exploration without unnecessary assault. All three are demonic players, though each... knew the value of restraint, and all three wrote intriguing material...The album captures much of the range, intensity and complementary spirit that made the Revolutionary Ensemble special." [6]
Leroy Jenkins was an American composer and violinist/violist.
3 Compositions of New Jazz is the debut album by Anthony Braxton released in 1968 on the Delmark label. It features performances by Braxton, violinist Leroy Jenkins and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith with pianist Muhal Richard Abrams appearing on two tracks.
The Revolutionary Ensemble was a free jazz trio consisting of violinist Leroy Jenkins (1932–2007), bassist Sirone and percussionist/pianist Jerome Cooper (1946–2015). The group was active from 1970–1977, and reunited briefly in 2004. Musician George E. Lewis described the trio as "one of the signal groups of the period." Writer John Fordham stated that the group "was remarkable for its concentration on texture, tone colour and the then unclaimed territory between jazz and contemporary classical music." A DownBeat reviewer, writing in 1972, described them as "a unique, utterly contemporary unit of extraordinarily talented players who possess a world understanding of what 'organized sound' is all about."
Jerome Douglas Cooper was an American free jazz musician. In addition to trap drums, Cooper played balafon, chirimia and various electronic instruments, and referred to himself as a "multi-dimensional drummer," meaning that his playing involved "layers of sounds and rhythms". AllMusic reviewer Ron Wynn called him "A sparkling drummer and percussionist... An excellent accompanist". Another Allmusic reviewer stated that "in the truest sense this drummer is a magician, adept at transformation and the creation of sacred space".
Norris Jones, better known as Sirone was an American jazz bassist, trombonist, and composer.
Conception Vessel is the debut album by American jazz drummer Paul Motian, recorded over two days in November 1972 and released on ECM the following year, featuring performances from pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Charlie Haden, violinist Leroy Jenkins, guitarist Sam Brown and flautist Becky Friend.
James Emery is an American jazz guitarist. He grew up in Willoughby, Ohio and Shaker Heights, Ohio. Emery plays archtop guitar, semi-acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and soprano guitar.
Anthony Braxton is an album by Anthony Braxton, released in 1969 on the BYG Actuel label. It features performances by Braxton, violinist Leroy Jenkins, trumpeter Leo Smith and percussionist Steve McCall.
The Legend of Ai Glatson is an album by American jazz violinist Leroy Jenkins, recorded in 1978 for the Italian Black Saint label.
Mixed Quintet is an album by American jazz violinist Leroy Jenkins, recorded in 1979 for the Italian Black Saint label.
This Time... is an album by the American jazz saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton, recorded in 1970 and released on the BYG Actuel label. As on his previous album, Braxton performs with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, violinist Leroy Jenkins and drummer Steve McCall.
The People's Republic is an album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper, which was recorded in late 1975 and released on the A&M/Horizon label the following year.
Manhattan Cycles is a live album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper, which was recorded on the last day of 1972 and released on the India Navigation label the following year. The album documents a performance of an extended composition by Leo Smith.
Vietnam, also referred to as Vietnam 1 & 2 is a live album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper, which was recorded in 1972 and released on the ESP-Disk label.
Out of the Mist is an album by saxophonist Joseph Jarman and violinist Leroy Jenkins, which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Ocean label. Jarman, Jenkins, and pianist Myra Melford would go on to form the collaborative trio Equal Interest.
The Psyche is a live album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. It was initially released on LP in 1975 by the group's own label RE Records, and was reissued on CD in 2002 by Mutable Music.
And Now... is an album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. It was recorded in June 2004 and released later that year by Pi Recordings. It was the first recording by the group following a hiatus of roughly 25 years.
Beyond the Boundary of Time is a live album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. It was recorded in May 2005 in Warsaw, Poland, and was released in 2008 by Mutable Music. The album contains one composition by each group member, along with two collective improvisations. It captures one of the group's last performances, and is dedicated to Jenkins, who died in 2007.
Counterparts is a live album by the Revolutionary Ensemble, violinist Leroy Jenkins, bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. It was recorded in November 2005 in Genoa, Italy, and was released in 2012 by Mutable Music. It documents the group's last live performance, and is dedicated to the memory of artist Frederick J. Brown.
Configuration is a live album by bassist Sirone and violinist Billy Bang, recorded in November, 2004, at CBGB's Gallery in New York City, and released in 2005 by Silkheart Records. On the album, the musicians are joined by the members of the Sirone Bang Ensemble: saxophonist Charles Gayle and drummer Tyshawn Sorey.