Free
Bill Dixon 100 celebrates the life and legacy of trumpeter, composer, artist, educator, and political activist, Bill Dixon, in his centenary year. Resolutely determined to stay true to his artistic philosophy, resisting standard definitions of composition, timbre, and jazz, he left an indelible mark on those who received his message, especially his students at Bennington College, Vermont. In 1964, Dixon co-organised New York’s landmark avant-garde festival, October Revolution in Jazz, with equal emphasis on political panel discussion and live music. In 1967, he released his first album as leader, Intents and Purposes, “one of the classic all-time jazz albums” (Kevin Le Gendre). Dixon continued to create and inspire until his death in 2010.
Part I will be a free improvised set featuring Sam Eastmond (trumpeter), Noam Solomons-Wise (drums), Fergus Quill (bass), and Evan Parker (saxophone), who collaborated with Dixon. Part II will be a performance of Index, a composition Dixon considered one of his most significant works, performed by the Free Range Orchestra, conducted by Sam Eastmond.