Related Objects

KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Speaking of Music: Leroy Jenkins & Marilyn Crispell, 1 of 2

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

SOM.1990.01.25.c1.A

Program Series

Speaking of Music

Program Length

112 min

Part

1 of 2

Dates

1990-03-26 | broadcast
| 1990-01-25 | created

Description

Charles Amirkhanian interviews violinist Leroy Jenkins and pianist Marilyn Crispell on January 25, 1990, as part of the San Francisco Exploratorium’s Speaking of Music series. Although they have known each other for quite some time and used to occasionally share the same studio space, this is the first time that they have performed together in public. Amirkhanian begins the program by questioning each composer/performer about their respective careers and their approach to improvisation. Jenkins discusses his early musical experiences, including playing the bassoon in his school band. He also describes how he has slowly incorporated more traditional classical styles into his compositions and plays an excerpt of a recording of a string quartet he wrote for the Kronos Quartet. Jenkins then plays three solo pieces, including one on viola, an instrument that he says many people prefer to the violin. Crispell then talks about how she works with written out fragments as the initial structure for her improvising, before playing a piano solo. The program concludes with a lengthy improvised duet performed by both guests. Leroy Jenkins died in 2007 at the age of 74.

Genres

Jazz
Free improvisation

Musical Selections

String Quartet [excerpt] (0:53) / Leroy Jenkins -- Springboards (7:00) / Leroy Jenkins -- Hipnosis (6:20) / Leroy Jenkins -- Lullabye (6:15) / Leroy Jenkins -- [piano improvisation] (10:38) / Marilyn Crispell

Performers

Virtuosi Della Rosa (Quartet)
Leroy Jenkins, violin (Springboard ; Hipnosis)
Leroy Jenkins, viola (Lullabye)
Marilyn Crispell, piano (solo)

Subjects

Jazz
Improvisation (Music)
String quartets
Violin music
Viola music

Related places

San Francisco (Calif.) (was recorded at)
Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Virtuosi Della Rosa
Amirkhanian, Charles
Jenkins, Leroy
Crispell, Marilyn