Jazz Composer`s Orchestra, The

In 1964, Bill Dixon formed the Jazz Composer's Guild, a cooperative organization meant to further the interests of New York's avant-garde jazz musicians by promoting and producing performances apart from the jazz club and booking establishment. An outgrowth of the organization was the Jazz Composer's Guild Orchestra, which was formed under the leadership of composer/pianist Carla Bley and trumpeter Michael Mantler. After the Guild's dissolution in 1965, Bley and Mantler continued the band as the Jazz Composer's Orchestra. The ensemble included many of New York's finest free jazz players; its 1968 double album The Jazz Composer's Orchestra, featured Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Pharoah Sanders, Larry Coryell, and Gato Barbieri. The Orchestra's performances included concerts at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Electric Circus, the Public Theater, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In 1966, Bley and Mantler formed the Jazz Composer's Orchestra Association (JCOA) as a support organization; The JCOA commissioned works from major free jazz figures, many of which were intended for The Orchestra. The Orchestra last performed in 1975.  - Chris Kelse (All Music Guide)

DATA:

01. COMMUNICATIONS # 8 (Time 14:03)
Soloists:  Don Cherry  (cornet) and Gato Barbieri (tenor saxophone)
Orchestra:
Steve Lace, Al Gibbons (soprano sax)
Gene Hull, Bob Donovan, (alto sax)
Lew Tabackin, George Barrow (tenor sax)
Charles Davis (baritone sax)
Lloyd Michels, Randy Backer (fluegelhorn)
Bob Nothern, Julius Watkins (french horn)
Howard Johnson (tuba)
Carla Bley (piano)
Kent Carter, Ron Carter, Richard Davis, Charlie Haden, Reggie Workman (basses)
Andrew Cyrille (d)

Recorded in New York, January 24, 1968

02. COMMUNICATIONS # 9 (Time 8:14)
Soloists: Larry Coryell (guitar)
Orchestra:
Al Gibbons, Steve Marcus (soprano sax)
Frank Wess, Bob Donovan (alto sax)
Lew Tabackin, George Barrow (tenor sax)
Charles Davis (baritone sax)
Lloyd Michels, Stephen Furtado (fluegelhorn)
Bob Nothern, Julius Watkins (french horns)
Jimmy Knepper (trombone)
Jack Jeffers (bass trombone)
Howard Johnson (tuba)
Carla Bley (piano)
Ron Carter, Eddie Gomez, Charlie Haden, Steve Swallow, Reggie Workman (basses)
Beaver Harris (drums)

Recorded in New York, May 8, 1968

03. COMMUNICATIONS # 10 (Time 13:42)
Soloist: Roswell Rudd (trombone). The bass introduction is played by Steve Swallow
Orchestra: Same personnel as "Communication # 9"

04. PREVIEW (Time 3:29)
Soloist. Pharoah Sanders (tenor sax)
Orchestra: Same personnel as "Communication # 9"

Recorded in New York, May 8, 1968

05. COMMUNICATION # 11 (Par1: 15:32  -  Part 2: 18:14)
Soloist: Cecil Taylor (piano)
Orchestra:
Al Gibbons, Steve Marcus (soprano sax)
Bob Donovan, Jimmy Lyons (alto sax)
Lew Tabackin, Gato Barbieri (tenor sax)
Charles Davis (baritone sax)
Lloyd Michels, Stephen Furtado (fluegelhorn)
Bob Nothern, Julius Watkins (french horns)
Jimmy Knepper (trombone)
Jack Jeffers (bass trombone)
Howard Johnson (tuba)
Bob Cunningham, Charlie Haden, Reggie Johnson, Alan Silva, Reggie Workman (basses)
Andrew Cyrille (drums)

Recorded in New York, June 20 & 21, 1968

INCLUDES 28 PAGE BOOKLET