Concert

Charles Lloyd // Denys Baptiste

Charles Lloyd ‘Which Way is East’
Homage to Billy Higgins with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland

One of the most touching documents of recent jazz history is the encounter between Charles Lloyd and Billy Higgins shortly before his death, preserved on the double-CD Which Way is East. These two musicians complement each other unconditionally and discover a mutual spiritual cosmos. Their music reaches deep and comes to the fore at once.

They put on a kaleidoscope of sounds and rhythms, not unlike early Art Ensemble Of Chicago recordings. There is no other musician Charles Lloyd has ever felt closer to than Billy Higgins. The spirit of this session, which took place in Lloyds’ Californian beach domicile, is carried on in his trio with Indian tabla-virtuoso Zakir Hussain and drummer Eric Harland.

Denys Baptiste ‘Let Freedom Ring!’

Originating from the legendary Camden Tomorrow’s Warriors jazz sessions, tenor saxophonist Denys Baptiste is one of the protagonists of Britain’s emerging black jazz scene.

With the support of Courtney Pine he has been developing a style reminiscent of Coltrane. In bands like Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop, the Jazz Warriors, with Orphy Robinson and the Jazz Jamaica Allstars he has constantly been improving his skills, turning him into a strong leader from 1999 on. His most complex project to date Let Freedom Ring! Is based on Martin Luther King’s famous speech “I Have A Dream” and the poetry of Ben Okri. In Berlin the performance will be enhanced by video projections.

Charles Lloyd 'Which Way is East'
Homage to Billy Higgins with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland

Charles Lloydsaxes, flute
Zakir Hussaintabla, percussion
Eric Harlanddrums

Denys Baptiste 'Let Freedom Ring!'

Denys Baptistetenor sax
Nathaniel Faceyalto sax
Abram Wilsontrumpet
Trevor Mirestrombone
Andrew McCormackpiano
Giorgio Serciguitar
Gary Crosbybass
Rod Youngsdrums
Satin Singhpercussion
Omar Puenteviolin
Jenny Adejayancello
Marc Silvervisuals
Marc Francisvisuals