This Sunday afternoon I'm listening to three CDs by the master, musical, percussionist Andrew Cyrille. Nuba is from 1979 and features the late Jeanne Lee, vocals and the late Jimmy Lyons, alto saxophone. The other two CDs, Duo Palindrome 2002, feature Anthony Braxton, reeds. I don't recall whether Mr. Cyrille told me, or whether I read, that he had a lot of experience as an accompanist for dancers. His playing on the Braxton recordings is perfect for Mr. Braxton's phrasing, with its loops and turns. This music would serve very well as the main character in a contemporary drama or pantomime, an opera without words; Beckett, Sartre, or Pinter; no exit; no return, end game - very moving and beautiful.
Jeanne Lee's voice is perfectly in tune with Lyon's sound on alto saxophone. Her vocal dynamics on "Jjli" are percussive. Ms. Lee was an extraordinary musician whose horn was her voice. Listen to her exchanges with Messrs. Lyons and Cyrille on "Sorry" - extraordinary. A Sunday spent with these fine musicians is a great pleasure indeed.
Sunday's covered then.
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