Big Band Free Jazz

Johnny Dyani: Magwaza
From: Witchdoctor’s Son [1978, Steeplechase]

Brotherhood of Breath: Kongi’s Theme & Andromeda
From: Bremen to Bridgewater [live 1971/75; CD issued 2004, Cunieform]

My introduction to Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath came by way of bassist Johnny Dyani; I discovered Magwaza over at Moistworks and was immediately taken. For reasons I can’t explain, South African jazz music consistently appeals to my sensibilities, and, Magwaza is a complete bulls-eye for my tastes. Research ensued and I found Dyani had creative ties with other South African notables, including: Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), whose music I quite like, as well as an ensemble known as the Brotherhood of Breath. I did further research on this Brotherhood and found descriptions of a big band that incorporated elements of free jazz and South African township jazz. It sound pretty interesting so I picked up a disc.

Pianist Chris McGregor formed the Brotherhood in the late 60’s as an extension of his earlier group The Blue Notes. The story of The Blue Notes is worth investigating in much more detail than this one sentence summary: mixed race ensemble, frustrated by the oppressive political climate in South Africa, leave home for the European jazz circuit. As the group toured and changed over the years, McGregor & company eventually shifted towards free jazz. The addition of local English players cemented the creative transition on the Brotherhood was cast. Members joined and disembarked as their lives made sense to do so.

Bremen to Bridgewater is a two disc set which includes live recordings from two different time periods so it’s a great sampling of the band. The Bremen portion, from which these tracks were taken, occurred in 1971 at Lila Eule, a jazz club in Bremen, Germany. The Bridgewater portion in 1975 in Bridgewater Arts Centre in Bridgewater, England. I find the musicians synthesize some of the more appealing aspects of both big bang and free jazz music; the harness the raucous experimental spontaneity of free jazz, but never lose the disciplined, robust orchestration of a big band. The result is a dense, immersive sound; it’s easy to lose track of time while listening.