Evan parker – The Freedom Principle
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
As American jazz first gained a foothold in late-1950s Britain, so began the first tremors of free jazz in the UK, sweeping aside bebop’s limiting forms with a new wave of avant garde innovations.
Evan Parker was chief among these instigators, and is now rightly regarded as one of Europe’s most influential and important musicians. Duncan Heining, author of a recently published book on British jazz from 1960-1975, speaks to Parker ahead of his Might I Suggest Festival in January, and tracks the seismic changes that altered this Sceptred Isle’s jazz landscape forever
The 1960s was most certainly a golden age for British modern jazz. It was as if, having learnt the ‘how-to’ of jazz from America, British musicians began to find ways of making it their own. Not that the music created by African-Americans was forgotten or its continuing potentialities neglected. More that it became possible to allow other influences to come through – from pop, rock, folk and even European art music. Musicians emerged – Mike Westbrook, John Surman, Graham Collier, Michael Garrick, Keith Tippett, Kenny Wheeler and many more – whose achievements and reputations still hold sway here and across Europe, if still largely ignored in North America.
‘This guy’s done this really weird music for Gavin’s film. If you’re coming to the diploma show.’ Alfie, introduced us and John said, ‘Come to the Little Theatre Club – I’m starting a club and we’re going to need musicians.’ So, I was welcomed there.”
This is an extract from Jazzwise Issue #170 – to read the full article click here to subscribe and receive a FREE CD...