Denys Baptiste

[Bobby G]

More specifically, his CD "Let Freedom Ring". This will sound quite pretentious, but it's four quite long pieces based (it says here) on the speech rhythms and cadences of Martin Luther King's famous 'I have a dream' speech.

It's quite a big small group, about 9 or 10 players plus Ben Okri on lead poetic interjections, and everyone gets a chance to shine with Baptiste managing to be lyrical and fiery. Odd time signatures abound, but the pieces really groove or swing, and at one point during the third track where it gets a bit seismic I swear they find the lost chord. Twice.

I think if you like Mingus music this is for you.

 

[tengu01]

I saw Denys Baptise play the "Let Freedom Ring" suite at the Ealing Jazz Festival and it was mindblowing, not just for Denys' playing but the entire ensemble were really on fire. Soweto Kinch on alto sax, Abram Wilson on Trumpet, Omar Puente on Violin, Ben Okri leading the poetry.

If you get a chance to see Denys live, take it

 

[Bobby G]

Where's the smiley for "I am completely jealous tengu01"? 🙂