Preview: Archie Shepp at Ronnie Scott's

Archie Shepp, legendary saxophonist and free jazz pioneer, will be performing at Ronnie Scott's for one night only, playing two sets on Friday 31 July

by Andy Hamilton

Archie Shepp's single night at Ronnie Scott's this month is a welcome opportunity to hear this great musician. His quartet is to feature long-time partners Tom McClung (piano), Wayne Dockery (bass) and Steve McCraven (drums), and promises to be an excellent combination.

The tenor saxophonist (pictured right by Jan Kricke) was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1937 but brought up in Philadelphia and began his career as a member of the free-jazz avant-garde of the late 50s and 60s.

Also known then as “the New Thing,” or “the New Wave” – from the contemporary “nouvelle vague” in French cinema – Shepp was firmly identified with it. He was a member of Cecil Taylor's quartet (1960–62), appearing on the album The World of Cecil Taylor, and co-led a quartet with trumpeter Bill Dixon (1962–3), and was a member of the New York Contemporary Five, with Don Cherry and John Tchicai (1963–4). He also received the support of John Coltrane, recording with him on Ascension (1965). Thereafter he led his own groups.


Shepp followed the free-jazz paradigm, where melody is fragmented and instrumental tone highly vocalised and rapid flurries or timbral effects are employed. His groups emphasised collective improvisation, stressing African-American as opposed to European musical values.

read more: http://jazzjournal.co.uk/jazz-latest-news/933/preview-archie-shepp-at-ronnie-scotts