Two excellent concert films. (maybe the two shows aren't complete but surely worth your attention)
The first group is obviously the quartet which recorded the wonderful album "Conference of the Birds" for ECM. The album was recorded on November 30, 1972 in New York. So the concert in France was more than a half year later. Several themes of the LP are easily discernible.
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For the second ensemble I've found the following description.
Details from Coda 12/73 p.34.
"They
played a suite especially written for this occasion. A piece that
showed some of the aspects in the music of the multidirectional Anthony
Braxton. Wheeler and Braxton matched each other beautifully, Wheeler is a
musician who has much in common with Braxton, an intellectual player
with a cool sound and a good ear for Braxton's intricate written lines.
Their performance ended with a bebop-like tune, and drummer Bobo Shaw
(from Black Artists Group from St. Louis, BAG) who throughout the piece
had revealed himself as a very musical and inventive drummer, kept the
music on fire." (Ib Skovgaard Petersen)
[Some discographies claim other days (23rd f.e.) for the Braxton Quartet but I stick with what's given in the TV production, although the menu gives 1974 which is - obviously - incorrect]
During this concert we have the first performances of Braxton's "Composition No. 23B" and "Composition No. 23D".
Dave Holland Quartet - Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, 1974
Anthony Braxton, reeds
Sam Rivers, reeds
Dave Holland, double bass
Barry Altschul, drums
Recorded July 25, 1974.
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Anthony Braxton Quartet - Chateauvallon, 1973
Amthony Braxton, reeds
Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, flugelhorn
J.F. Jenny Clarke, double bass
Charles Bobo Shaw, drums
Recorded August, 25, 1973
