GHOST OF A CHANCE
A rare sighting of Albert Ayler’s drummer Milford Graves live with David Murray.
MILFORD GRAVES & DAVID MURRAY
Guelph Jazz Festival 2009 [no label, 1CD]
Live at the Co-operators Hall, River Run Center, Guelph, ON, Canada, September 13, 2009. Ex- FM stereo. There’s a low hum throughout.
This show came out of the blue. Milford Graves was part of the free jazz movement that started in New York City in the ’50s. Graves, 68, played drums on Albert Ayler’s Holy Ghost and Love Cry. There is no greater honor in free jazz. Graves’ pedigree includes recordings with Paul Bley and Roswell Rudd, Archie Shepp and many of the free jazz pioneers.
Canada’s Guelph Jazz Festival managed to convince David Murray, at the fest with his World Saxophone Quartet, to close the festival with a drum and sax duet with Graves. Murray and Graves are no stranger to each other. They made one album, The Real Deal, in 1991 but have never played together since except briefly for a Don Pullen tribute.
Canadian radio knew they had a keeper and recorded the September 13 show. It was broadcast November 7 on The Signal with Laurie Brown. Thanks to Gilmore for taping and sharing this on the Dime.
Track 01. radio introduction
Track 02. The Long March To Freedom (David Murray)
Track 03. radio announcement
Track 04. MG1 (Milford Graves)
Track 05. radio announcement
Track 06. David Murray introduction
Track 07. Yes We Can (new David Murray tune)
Track 08. radio announcement
Track 09. Drum Dance (Milford Graves)
Track 10. radio announcement
Track 11. MG2 (Milford Graves)
Track 12. radio announcement
Track 13. Hail To The Chief (David Murray)
Track 14. MG3 (Milford Graves)
Click here for the tracks.