News & Updates — out-jazz

Derek Bailey / Jan 29, 1930 - Dec 25, 2005

Derek Bailey / Jan 29, 1930 - Dec 25, 2005

The great British improviser Derek Bailey is one of the most important and respected non-pop guitarists to come out of the UK music scene. After doing a few straight-ahead gigs, Bailey went the free-form route and co-founded Spontaneous Music Ensemble, as well as Music Improvisation Company. In 1970 he co-founded the first musician-owned improv label in the UK, Incus Records. To listen to Bailey, you would have to throw away every conventional way that you have heard guitar. He plays improvised music, with little concession to pop or rock (or even jazz). Throughout the years he has collaborated with Evan...

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Julius Hemphill / Jan 24, 1938 - Apr 2, 1995

Julius Hemphill / Jan 24, 1938 - Apr 2, 1995

The great reedsman and composer Julius Hemphill was a member of the collective Black Artists Group (B.A.G.) of St. Louis, and a founder of the World Saxophone Quartet, an all-sax ensemble that played and recontextualized many originals, standards and pop songs for wind only. Hemphill also played with Ike Turner, Anthony Braxton, Lester Bowie, Human Arts Ensemble and Bjork, as well as starting both a sax quintet and sextet. He had a harsh tone, with influence from African music to pop to avant-garde and theater. He can be heard often in the duo format. And like Braxton, his line-ups could...

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Peace & Rhythm Presents a free-admission weekly music series at The Root Cellar

"Peace & Rhythm Presents" is a weekly eclectic music series every Wednesday night at The Root Cellar, downtown Greenfield's newest music venue. This premier season features bands and performers of various genres and styles, including funk, world music, jazz, reggae, rock, folk, DJs and more. Every Wednesday is FREE ADMISSION, 21+. Doors open at 8, music starts pumping at 9 and goes until 1230. ---Wed, July 27...The Boogalistics (soul-jazz/funk) and Doctor Thing (freak-out psychedelic jazz-funk) - The Boogalistics bring fresh energy to the classic sound of soul jazz. Boogaloo, soul-jazz, funk, this brand new group out of Northampton will satisfy...

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2015 Year-End Round-Up (with guests!)

Among the many beautiful things about sound & music is that it can supplement your life's routine in so many different ways. Whether you look at (or hear or make) music as artistic expression, ritual, relaxation, protest, celebration, dance release, mathematical composition, entertainment, fashion, comedy or even as background sound, there is no wrong way to appreciate music. It fills our lives with joy or aggression, songs about love and hate, constructions of rhythm and noise, harmony or disruption. Only a high-minded snob will pooh-pooh somebody's artistic creation. (Although they are certainly out there, usually in the form of talentless...

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Our Favorite Records of 2014

What records made your ears happy?

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