Roscoe Mitchell

On Three Compositions, veteran Chicago saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell's scores are interpreted by an established grouping with an AACM lineage, namesake flautist Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, unlike his previous album of written material, Numbers (Rogue Art, 2011), which featured a varied cast of contemporary players. It makes all the difference. This performance was one of three by the flautist's band at the 2009 edition of Sardinia's Sant' Anna Arresi jazz festival, and is captured here in sparkling clarity. Mitchell's subtle but richly detailed charts, often involving subsets of musicians, are brought vibrantly into focus by the Black Earth Ensemble, both collectively and as individuals.

PERSONNEL:

• ROSCOE MITCHELL, compositions, conduction
• NICOLE MITCHELL,
• DAVID BOYKIN, tenor saxophone
• GREG WARD, alto saxophone
• ROBERT GRIFFIN, trumpet
• MANKWE NDOSI, vocal
• RENEE BAKER, violin
• TOMEKA REID, cello
• MYRA MELFORD, piano
• MAIA, harp
• JOSHUA ABRAMS, double bass
• MARCUS EVANS, drums.

Recorded live on August 30th 2009 at Piazza del Nuraghe, Sardinia, Italy.

TRACKS:

• 01. Quintet #1 For Eleven
• 02. Cards For Orchestra
• 03. Quintet #9 For Eleven