Ezz-thetics
Encyclopedia
Ezz-thetics is an album by a sextet led by the jazz composer and music theorist George Russell. It features a re-reading of Russell's title composition and a radical reworking of Thelonious Monk
's standard "Round Midnight
" with an extended solo by Eric Dolphy
. The title song, "Ezzthetic", was dedicated to, in Mr. Russell's own words, "the late, great heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Ezzard Charles
".
The recording features trombonist Dave Baker whose trombone career was cut short causing him to take up the cello. He went on to become a major composer of jazz and modern classical music. Don Ellis
went on to lead his own successful big band. George Russell was awarded the MacArthur "Genius" Award
in 1989 and is captured here in a rare piano appearance. Eric Dolphy was a major artist in the "New Thing" branch of jazz but also appeared with Charles Mingus
in one of his greatest small groups. Dolphy died a few years later due to complications of diabetes in Europe while on tour and was quickly elected to the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. Steve Swallow
went on to become a major practitioner of the electric bass and is close associated with the music of Carla Bley
. Joe Hunt is a well known drummer associated with Mr Russell's groups, as well as Stan Getz
and Bill Evans
, who rose to fame with George Russell for his famous solo on Russell's "All About Rosie".
* Bonus tracks, issued for the first time on 2007 CD remaster:
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
's standard "Round Midnight
'Round Midnight (song)
Round Midnight" is a 1944 jazz standard by pianist Thelonious Monk. Jazz artists Cootie Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Pepper, and Miles Davis have further embellished the song, with songwriter Bernie Hanighen adding lyrics...
" with an extended solo by Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy
Eric Allan Dolphy was an American jazz alto saxophonist, flutist, and bass clarinetist. On a few occasions he also played the clarinet and baritone saxophone. Dolphy was one of several multi-instrumentalists to gain prominence in the 1960s...
. The title song, "Ezzthetic", was dedicated to, in Mr. Russell's own words, "the late, great heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Ezzard Charles
Ezzard Charles
Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former world heavyweight champion. He holds wins over numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 93 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw.-Career:He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia,...
".
The recording features trombonist Dave Baker whose trombone career was cut short causing him to take up the cello. He went on to become a major composer of jazz and modern classical music. Don Ellis
Don Ellis
Don Ellis was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures...
went on to lead his own successful big band. George Russell was awarded the MacArthur "Genius" Award
MacArthur Fellows Program
The MacArthur Fellows Program or MacArthur Fellowship is an award given by the John D. and Catherine T...
in 1989 and is captured here in a rare piano appearance. Eric Dolphy was a major artist in the "New Thing" branch of jazz but also appeared with Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
in one of his greatest small groups. Dolphy died a few years later due to complications of diabetes in Europe while on tour and was quickly elected to the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow is a jazz double bass and bass guitarist and composer born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.One of the leading bassists in jazz, Swallow is noted for collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton and Carla Bley...
went on to become a major practitioner of the electric bass and is close associated with the music of Carla Bley
Carla Bley
Carla Bley, née Borg, is an American jazz composer, pianist, organist and band leader. An important figure in the Free Jazz movement of the 1960s, she is perhaps best known for her jazz opera Escalator Over The Hill , as well as a book of compositions that have been performed by many other...
. Joe Hunt is a well known drummer associated with Mr Russell's groups, as well as Stan Getz
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
and Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
, who rose to fame with George Russell for his famous solo on Russell's "All About Rosie".
Track listing
- "Ezz-thetic" (Russell) – 8:57
- "Nardis" (Miles DavisMiles DavisMiles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
) – 4:34 - "Lydiot" (Russell) – 8:06
- "Thoughts" (Russell) – 5:26
- "Honesty" (David Baker (composer)) – 8:55
- "Round Midnight'Round Midnight (song)Round Midnight" is a 1944 jazz standard by pianist Thelonious Monk. Jazz artists Cootie Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Pepper, and Miles Davis have further embellished the song, with songwriter Bernie Hanighen adding lyrics...
" (Thelonious MonkThelonious MonkThelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
) – 6:29 - "Kige's Tune" (Al Kiger) (take 2) *
- "Kige's Tune" (Al Kiger) (take 5) *
* Bonus tracks, issued for the first time on 2007 CD remaster:
Personnel
- George Russell - piano, arranger
- Don EllisDon EllisDon Ellis was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures...
- trumpet - Dave Baker - trombone
- Eric DolphyEric DolphyEric Allan Dolphy was an American jazz alto saxophonist, flutist, and bass clarinetist. On a few occasions he also played the clarinet and baritone saxophone. Dolphy was one of several multi-instrumentalists to gain prominence in the 1960s...
- alto sax and bass clarinet - Steve SwallowSteve SwallowSteve Swallow is a jazz double bass and bass guitarist and composer born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.One of the leading bassists in jazz, Swallow is noted for collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton and Carla Bley...
- bass - Joe Hunt - drums