Thursday, September 24, 2020

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Paul Motian

 


Artist:Paul Motian

Song:Drum Music

Album:Jack of Clubs


Drummer Paul Motian is probably best known for his days in pianist Paul Bley's band and also in Keith Jarrett's band. He played all kinds of music and started recording as a leader in the 70s. I would describe Motian's music as free jazz. He was born Mar. 25, 1931 in Philadelphia and he grew up in Providence, RI. Motian started playing drums at age twelve. As a teen, he toured New England with a swing band. After serving in the US Navy in the Korean War, Motian became a professional musician in 1954. He was first noticed when he toured and recorded with pianist Bill Evans from 1959-64. He went on to Paul Bley's band and then Keith Jarrett's band from 1967-76. He played with all kinds of musicians including with Arlo Guthrie at Woodstock. Motian signed with ECM Records in 1973. He recorded for them until 1982 and returned in 2005. He recorded for the Italian label Soul Note in the 80s and for the German label JMT in the 90s. Drum Music is from the 1985 album Jack of Clubs on Soul Note. Musicians are Bill Frisell on guitar, Joe Lovano and Jim Pepper on sax and Ed Schuller on bass. Motian and Frisell worked together a lot in the 80s. This album is available as a budget CD. Motian also recorded Drum Music on the 2010 album Lost in a Dream with Chris Potter on sax and Jason Moran on piano. Motian liked to work with guitarists. His 90s band Electric Bebop had three guitarists but no piano. A lot of his music is like that. Motian continued to tour and record until his death from cancer on Nov. 22, 2011 at age 80. Here's Paul Motian and The Electric Bebop Band performing Drum Music at the 2003 Chivas Jazz Festival in Brazil. It looks like the guitarists are Steve Cardenas, Ben Monder and Jakob Bro. He never recorded with this band so I am making an educated guess.


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