Marilyn Crispell (USA)

If you enjoyed the exceptional USA pianist Marilyn Crispell at JAZZ:NOW, or if you missed her solo and trio performances, then you have one more opportunity to catch her in her final Australian performance: see below for details! Marilyn Crispell is performing in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane before returning to Sydney on Thursday 18 September for one night only…

Hearing Marilyn Crispell play piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz – N.Y. Times.

This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the most highly regarded pianists at the sharp end of contemporary jazz in the intimate space of The Sound Lounge.

Regaled as one of the most highly regarded pianists at the sharp end of contemporary jazz for the past two decades, Marilyn Crispell discovered jazz through the music of John Coltrane and Cecil Taylor. She has worked with such legendary names as bassists Reggie Workman, Gary Peacock and Peter Kowald, drummer Paul Motian, violinist Billy Bang and clarinettist Don Byron.

Marilyn Crispell was schooled in classical music, studying piano from the age of 7. Graduating in piano and composition from the New England Conservatory of Music, she came late to jazz, but by 1978 was teaching at Karl Berger’s Creative Music Studio. There she met many musicians with whom she has since worked, including Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake and, most crucially, Anthony Braxton. Extensive touring and recording with Braxton raised her critical profile and paved the way for numerous albums of her own for many independent labels.

Crispell’s recordings have ranged from solo improvisations to programmes of Coltrane’s music to performances of contemporary composition (by Manfred Niehaus, Robert Cogan, Barry Guy and others).

Documented encounters with improvisers have included meetings with Fred Anderson, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann, Charles Gayle, Irène Schweizer, Eddie Prévost, Billy Bang, Tim Berne and the massed cast of the London Jazz Composers Orchestra.

Amongst her influences, Crispell has cited Coltrane, Bach, Webern, Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk and Annette Peacock.

Following her outstanding solo performance on Thursday 11th at JAZZ:NOW at the Syndye Opera House and again in trio on Saturday 13th, don’t miss this outstanding night of music, where Marilyn Crispell is ably supported by two leading local jazz musicians in Lloyd Swanton (bass) and Simon Barker (drums). This will be her final Australian performance.

SIMA is the sponsor of Marilyn Crispell’s first tour of Australia, which includes Jazz:Now Festival 2008, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts & Perth Jazz Society.