Anthony Braxton/George Lewis Duo - Elements of Surprise

Following the earlier posting of the Braxton - Mitchell duet, here is another duet from about the same time, more specifically the New Jazz Festival at Moers, June 1976.

This time Braxton is paired with George Lewis, another member of the AACM, though not quite among the founders as he joined in the early 70s. But he's taken upon himself to write the full history of the AACM, just published by the University of Chicago Press.

Four pieces in all:

01_Composition 64 (Braxton)

02_Ornithology (Braxton/Parker)

03_Composition 65 (Braxton)

04_Music for Trombone and Bb Soprano (Lewis)

This one is, I thought, less "austere" than the Mitchell - Braxton duet, which to some extent may be explained by the live concert setting which means they have an audience to interact with. Again, a great sense of rapport, almost intutitive, between the two. Great playing, needless to say, and an ability to do the classics and add their own prsonalities to it. Not at all inaccessible, as one may have thought, a sense of humour throughout which is easily noticed by the audience. Long stretches of virtuoso playing and an uncanny talent to make their instruments "speak". At some point, I was thinking of "Peter and the Wolf" as the two almost "act out" imaginary characters.

Very enjoyable and one to come back to. More to come, but I'll have to figure out what will be up next. Stay tuned!