Art Ensemble of Chicago

[Sun Ship]

Art Ensemble of Chicago

Founded in 1967, the Art Ensemble are probably the best-known advocates of avant-garde jazz and the flagship ensemble of the AACM. Founding members have included leading contemporary jazz figures Roscoe Mitchell, the late Lester Bowie (both founding members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), Malachi Favors, and Joseph Jarman. They were joined by percussionist Famoudou Don Moye in 1969.

All members currently focus their efforts elsewhere -- and they've only played in Chicago half a handful of times in the last decade. Jarman has devoted himself to spiritual studies, and withdrawn from the group. Mitchell has been seriously ill of late, during which time Chicago saxophonist Ari Brown took Mitchell's place.

In 1969, they moved to Paris, which was at that time both a flourishing jazz scene and haven for black American musicians. It was there that Moye joined and "of Chicago" was appended to their name. After 18 months (during which time they recorded 12 albums), having established an international reputation, they returned to the US.

Their music is pluralistic, joining traditional elements from old New Orleans with free jazz, theatricality (the members paint their faces in African ceremonial designs, and wear hats and African robes) with percussion, and ethnic gongs, whistles, and log drums.

They're toured periodically worldwide since 1971 (The 5-man Ensemble lineup has not changed since then, btw), and recorded for major labels like Atlantic and ECM. The band is still in existence, but most of its recent output doesn't seem up to the group's high standards.

Among their notable albums are People in Sorrow (1969, EMI), Nice Guys (1978, ECM), Full Force (1980, ECM), Urban Bushmen (1980, ECM), and The Alternate Express (1989, DIW).




Lester Bowie



Born: 11-Oct-1941
Birthplace: Frederick, MD
Died: 9-Nov-1999
Location of death: New York, NY


Distinctive St. Louis trumpeter and leader of the Brass Fantasy was an early AACM member, cofounder of the Art Ensemble of Chicago during the late '60s, and was the original lead voice of the Ritual Trio (1985). By many accounts the most important trumpeter in the last 30 years, Bowie combined style, studding speed, and expressive technique in both the classic jazz (1920-1940) and the avant-garde.

As a youth he practiced his trumpet by an open window, hoping that Louis Armstrong might pass and discover him. After military service he worked R&B sessions (including with his wife, singer Fontella Bass). After forming BAG (Black Artists Group) and the Great Black Music Orchestra in St. Louis, Bowie moved in Chicago to join the AACM. Along with Roscoe Mitchell, he was a founder member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

A flamboyant and funny player, Bowie also has incredible technique, tone, and musical sensibility.

Among his notable recordings are The Fifth Power (1978; Black Saint), Works (1981-6, ECM), My Way (1990; DIW), The Fire This Time (1992, In+Out), and on Jack DeJohnette's New Directions) and David Murray's Live at The Lower Manhattan Ocean Club.



Malachi Favors (Malachi Favors Maghostut)



Born: 22-Aug-1927
Birthplace: Lexington, MI
Died: 30-Jan-2004
Location of death: Chicago, IL


Bass player for Art Ensemble of Chicago

The long-time bassist with the Art Ensemble of Chicago has also played a variety of miscellaneous instruments (including banjo, zither, bells, gong, harmonica, melodica and percussion) on their many records. In his early days he played bop in Chicago with Andrew Hill (mid-'50s) and other local musicians. Favors was in the AACM from the start, being a member of Muhal Richard Abrams' Experimental Band as early as 1961. He joined Roscoe Mitchell's quartet in 1966 which soon became the Art Ensemble. In addition to his work with that important group, Favors has recorded with Archie Shepp, Sunny Murray, Dewey Redman, Abrams and Lester Bowie. -- Scott Yanow, All-Music Guide

He's well known as a member of The Art Ensemble of Chicago, but Malachi Favors Maghostut is also a first-rate bassist outside that organization. He's played with many bebop, hard bop and free groups, and his rigorous accompaniment is a vital piece of The Art Ensemble puzzle. -- Ron Wynn

Here's the link to their web page:


Art Ensemble Of Chicago





*Note: I am not necessarily pleased with these bio's so I will just post a discography later__Peace.

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