Beyond the Notes presents
Beyond the Notes: Tangled Strings
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 12:00 PM
Charles Library Event Space
Light refreshments served. Boyer recital credit given.
All programs are free and open to all, and registration is encouraged.
This month, Beyond the Notes will be featuring a trio of Boyer alums showcasing an “entanglement” of numerous musical styles. The trio of bassist and composer Chris Coyle (Boyer class of 2010), renowned guitarist/composer Matt Davis (Boyer class of 2001), and violinist and composer June Bender (Boyer class of 2009), aim to “tackle head-on the limitations of stylistic exclusivity.” Philadelphia has long been a crucible for musical innovation, producing artists who push the boundaries of genre and redefined the landscape of jazz, avant-garde, and beyond. In honor of this tradition for pushing boundaries, we will explore the work of four other daring Philadelphia-based musicians: Rufus Harley, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Tyshawn Sorey, and the Sun Ra Arkestra.
Rufus Harley – Bagpipe Blues
Rufus Harley, often hailed as the first jazz bagpiper, made waves with his groundbreaking album Bagpipe Blues released in 1965. Blending traditional Scottish bagpipe music with jazz, Harley’s innovative style was not merely a gimmick; it was a profound exploration of cultural intersections. He was a longtime resident of Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood and served as an unofficial representative of the city, often handing out American flags, copies of the Declaration of independence, and even miniature Liberty Bells.
Bagpipe Blues features a collection of original compositions and improvisations, where Harley’s bagpipe takes center stage, revealing its unexpected versatility. The album’s title track, “Bagpipe Blues,” showcases Harley’s ability to meld bluesy jazz rhythms with the distinct drone of the bagpipe, creating a sound that is both soulful and otherworldly. The interplay between Harley’s bagpipe and the supporting jazz ensemble allows for a rich dialogue, inviting listeners into a space where cultural boundaries dissolve. This genre-bending work not only emphasizes the bagpipe’s musical potential beyond its traditional settings but also challenges preconceived notions of jazz instrumentation, paving the way for future artists to explore unconventional sounds.
Jamaaladeen Tacuma – Show Stopper
Bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma grew up around the corner from Temple, near 11th and Norris street. His lifelong commitment to Philadelphia’s musical community earned him the City’s Benny Golson Award in 2018, named for another Philadelphia musical legend. He emerged from the vibrant Philadelphia jazz scene with his electrifying album Show Stopper, released in 1983. A key figure in the avant-garde jazz movement, Tacuma’s music is characterized by its eclectic influences, combining jazz, funk, rock, and experimental sounds. Show Stopper exemplifies this fusion, pushing the envelope of what jazz can be.
The title track, “Show Stopper,” is a high-energy explosion of rhythm and sound. Featuring a dynamic blend of electric bass, keyboards, and drums, the piece highlights Tacuma’s virtuosic playing and innovative compositional style. His ability to infuse funk grooves with jazz improvisation creates a lively atmosphere that invites the audience to dance. By redefining the boundaries of jazz, Tacuma set the stage for a generation of musicians who continue to blur genre lines.
Tyshawn Sorey Trio – Verisimilitude
Tyshawn Sorey, a prolific drummer, composer, and bandleader, has gained acclaim for his boundary-defying work in the contemporary jazz scene. A Pulitzer Prize winner and MacArthur Fellow, Sorey has also been a Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania since 2020. of His album Verisimilitude, released in 2020, stands as a testament to his innovative approach to rhythm, structure, and improvisation. The trio, featuring Sorey on drums, Cory Smythe on piano, and Chris Tordini on bass, explores the depths of sound and silence, challenging listeners’ perceptions of time and musical narrative.
Verisimilitude is a masterclass in textural and timbral contrast. The album’s opening track, “Cascade in Slow Motion” begins with a serene piano motif, gradually building tension through Sorey’s intricate drumming and Anderson’s melodic bass lines. Sorey’s nuanced approach to rhythm creates a palpable sense of anticipation, drawing listeners into an immersive sonic landscape. Throughout the album, the trio navigates complex textures, moving between moments of quiet introspection and explosive crescendos. This interplay of restraint and intensity invites audiences to reconsider the nature of improvisation and composition, making Verisimilitude a vital contribution to the evolving jazz canon.
The Sun Ra Arkestra – Living Sky
No exploration of genre-pushing Philadelphia music would be complete without mentioning the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra. Founded by the visionary composer and bandleader Sun Ra, the ensemble has continually defied categorization since its inception in the 1950s. After Sun Ra and the Arkestra relocated to Philadelphia in the late 1960s, they set up residence in a row house in Germantown, which became both a communal living space and a center for their rehearsals and philosophical discussions. This home, affectionately known as the “Arkestra House,” remains a focal point for the band, symbolizing their commitment to their communal and cosmic ideals, and was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2022.
Their album Living Sky, released in 2022, contains a fascinating homage to the classical composer Frédéric Chopin, reinterpreted through a cosmic jazz lens. The album’s opening track, “Chopin,” is the first studio version of Sun Ra’s rendition of the Prelude in A Major, Op. 28 #7, by the eponymous composer. Ra performed his own take on the piece several times, an homage to his early piano studies, transforming it into an entirely novel fusion of jazz and classical ideas. Led by Marshall Allen in this recording, the Arkestra carries on this tradition, transforming the piece into a sprawling, improvisational journey, where the band’s collective creativity shines. The piece not only honors Chopin’s genius but also illustrates how jazz can serve as a vehicle for reinterpretation and innovation, inviting listeners to experience familiar melodies in a new light.
A Tradition of Challenging Tradition
The contributions of Rufus Harley, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Tyshawn Sorey, and the Sun Ra Arkestra exemplify the spirit of innovation that defines Philadelphia’s musical landscape. Each of these artists has not only pushed the boundaries of their respective genres but has also invited audiences to explore the rich tapestry of sounds that emerge when diverse musical influences converge. As we continue to celebrate and support artists who challenge the status quo, we honor the legacy of Philadelphia as a hub of creativity and musical exploration. The works of these musicians serve as a reminder that the future of music lies in the hands of those who dare to experiment, innovate, and inspire.
Suggested Reading:
Cloud, Suzanne Tapper, Diane Delores Turner, and Terell Stafford. Philadelphia Jazz. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2022. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991038749256903811
Dzubinski, David, and Suzanne Cloud, eds. The Real Philadelphia Book. Temple University Press, 2022. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991038213452403811
Glantz, Joseph. Philadelphia Originals. Atglen, PA : Schiffer, 2009. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991000706249703811
Rosin, James. Philadelphia, City of Music. Philadelphia: Camino Books, 2006. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991032013159703811
Saffron, Inga. Becoming Philadelphia: How an Old American City Made Itself New Again. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2020. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991037847515403811
Youngquist, Paul. A Pure Solar World: Sun Ra and the Birth of Afrofuturism. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2016. https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991037895841503811
By Dan Maguire