KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: Butch Morris

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

MC.1988.12.15

Program Series

Morning Concert

Program Length

57 min

Dates

| broadcast
| 1988-12-15 | created

Description

In program recorded in December of 1988, Charles Amirkhanian talks with musician, arranger, improviser, and composer, Butch Morris about his system of "conduction" used for developing a language for improvisers, as well as some of his worldly influences. A Vietnam War veteran and a regular on the jazz scene during the 1970s and 80s, Morris eventually became dissatisfied with what passed for free improvisation, with it’s pattern of theme and solos, yet was unwilling to be restrained by a written score. Therefore taking a cue from such band leaders as Sun Ra, Morris developed a system of hand gestures that he could employ to guide his fellow musicians during their improvised performances. This system of conduction allowed him to shape the music while still retaining a certain degree of spontaneity and individual interpretation. In addition to the discussion the program also includes a recording of Morris’ work "The New York Comprovisation" .

Genres

Jazz
Free improvisation

Musical Selections

"The New York Comprovisation" / Butch Morris

Performers

Butch Morris, cornet
J.A. Deanne, trombone and electronics
Wayne Horowitz, keyboards and electronics

Subjects

Jazz
Improvisation (Music)
Electro-acoustic
Electronic music

Related place

Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Amirkhanian, Charles
Morris, Lawrence Butch
Deanne, J. A.
Horowitz, Wayne