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Bennie Maupin
Maupin's own discography as a leader includes a well-received recording for ECM Records, The Jewel in The Lotus (1974), Slow Traffic to the Right (1976) and Moonscapes, both on Mercury Records (1978), and Driving While Black on Intuition (1998). The instrumentation of Maupin's current group, The Bennie Maupin Ensemble harkens back to the tradition of great saxophone-bass-drum trios, such as the group led by Sonny Rollins with Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones.
The Bennie Maupin Ensemble came about as a result of Maupin's continuing musical association and friendship with drummer/percussionist Michael Stephans. Internationally renowned bassist Derek Oles was a natural addition because of his open approach to interpretation and improvisation, as well as his masterful bass playing. In early 2003 world class percussionist Munyungo Jackson joined the group, and the Bennie Maupin Ensemble was born. The 2006 release, Penumbra, is a profound musical statement by an important jazz artist who is at the pinnacle of his artistic powers. Penumbra is dedicated to the memory of Lyle "Spud" Murphy.
While echoes of the great John Coltrane can be heard in Maupin's work, one can also discern the influences of Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, and Eric Dolphy, as well as Maupin's contemporaries like Wayne Shorter and the late Joe Henderson. Maupin's approach to his music is intentional and profound, yet alive in the interpretation of the moment. He maintains active performing and teaching careers in Europe, and the U.S. Bennie Maupin currently resides in the Los Angeles area.
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Freddie Hubbard: On Fire: Live From The Blue Morocco
by Pierre Giroux
Freddie Hubbard was never one to play it safe. Even at a time when jazz was bending in myriad directions--from the structural freedom of Ornette Coleman's harmolodics to the modal explorations of Miles Davis--Hubbard maintained a singular focus on the power of his horn. In the newly unearthed performance On Fire: Live from Blue Morocco, Resonance Records, in conjunction with Record Store Day, has released a deluxe 2CD package that includes new interviews with Bennie Maupin and Kenny Barron, notes ...
Continue ReadingFreddie Hubbard: On Fire--Live From The Blue Morocco
by Jack Kenny
Freddie Hubbard is a conundrum. His style has varied significantly over the years, as though he were unsure of himself at a deep level. There were the Blue Note years, then the funk years, where he gained money and lost credibility. The all-encompassing technique was displayed in so many contexts, with Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. Hubbard's casting around indicates an unresolved idea of what to do with his gifts. He was, after all, born at ...
Continue ReadingFreddie Hubbard: On Fire: Live At The Blue Morocco
by Dan McClenaghan
Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (1938 -2008) began his professional jazz journey in 1960 as a full-blooded hard bopper, recording his first album in that year for Blue Note Records, Open Sesame. Much of the ensuing decade saw him in several Blue Note outings under his own name and as a side man. He also recorded sets for Atlantic Records and Impulse!. His output ran at about two albums a year through the 1960s. The 1970s saw Hubbard rise from ...
Continue ReadingThe Electric Years Box Set
by Mike Jurkovic
In a year that has brought us a true bounty of previously unheard majesty including Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy (Impulse!), and Bill Evans; Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969), (Elemental Music) it is only fitting that Miles Davis get his due. And in a very, very big way. Seared into modern memory, modern art, the music presented on the gloriously massive, eleven LP set Miles Davis: The Electric Years ...
Continue ReadingBlackstone Legacy
by C. Andrew Hovan
When trumpeter Woody Shaw passed away in 1989, he left behind a wealth of amazing music, notwithstanding the realized sadness inherent in wondering what more he could have accomplished had he lived a longer life. Back in the mid '60s, Shaw was ubiquitous as a sideman recording iconic albums with the likes of Larry Young, Horace Silver, Chick Corea, Art Blakey, and McCoy Tyner. Despite common misconceptions, Shaw led his first date as a leader in December of 1965, which ...
Continue ReadingJack DeJohnette: Sorcery
by Rob Garratt
Which Jack DeJohnette is best known? The subtle sticksmith at the heart of Keith Jarrett's Standards Trio, perhaps? Probably the heavyweight hitter driving electric-era Miles Davis' '70s sonic brew. Maybe the percussive upstart propelling Charles Lloyd to crossover flower-power fame? Or even the fearless bandleader behind the ever-thrilling Special Edition band ... At age 81, DeJohnette can (still) fairly claim to be the most in-demand jazz drummer on the planet. But even the most studious acolyte ...
Continue ReadingJack DeJohnette: Sorcery
by Scott Gudell
Jack DeJohnette gets around. The Chicago born drummer was drawn to R&B and bebop in the late 1950s and eventually toyed with a more avant-garde jazz sound when he spent some time with the esoteric Sun Ra. It seems like DeJohnette played in the big leagues almost from the beginning since, by the time he moved to New York City in the mid-1960s, he was teaming up with other monsters of jazz such as Keith Jarrett and Charles Lloyd. Several ...
Continue Reading5 Videos: Bennie Maupin
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
On Monday, I posted about Stanley Cowell, one of jazz's greatest living pianists. Today, I'm focusing on Bennie Maupin, another living jazz legend who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Maupin is perhaps best known for recording with Horace Silver (Serenade to a Soul Sister), Miles Davis (Bitches Brew) and Herbie Hancock (Headhunters, Thrust). Here are five videos featuring Maupin on a range of reed and woodwind instruments: Here's Maupin with pianist Horace Silver in Rotterdam in 1968 with Randy ...
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The Bennie Maupin Ensemble - Penumbra (2006)
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Something Else!
By Mark Saleski Back in the dark ages (read: before the Internet) I spent a fair amount of time searching out new music by paying very close attention to the listings of my local public and classical radio stations. On any given week night there might be broadcasts of solo works, string quartets, and all manner of chamber ensemble and full-on orchestral madness. That was how I discovered David Ocker. Specifically, Ocker's solo bass clarinet version of the 4th movement ...
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Forgotten Series: Bennie Maupin - The Jewel in the Lotus (1974)
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Something Else!
By Mark Saleski Part of the genius of Miles Davis (aside from the incredible compositions, insanely great trumpet work, and spooky ability to play just the right notes) was his amazing talent for selecting band members. The list is seemingly endless and the branches extend over an impressive subsection of modern jazz: John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Tony Williams, and on it goes. When Miles headed toward the electric side of ...
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Back to Roots, Ahead to the Future Pop and Jazz Best
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Michael Ricci
The best of this year’s rock, pop and jazz albums include releases by Metallica, Bennie Maupin, Rudresh Mahanthappa and Gonzalo Rubalcaba.
2. BENNIE MAUPIN Early Reflections (Cryptogramophone). The next chapter in the recent return of this saxophonist and bass clarinetist, who enlivened jazz during the 1970s with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. He’s now working with a Polish acoustic jazz trio, making patient music with open space and strong melodies.
4. RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA Kinsmen (Pi). This Indian- American jazz saxophonist ...
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Bennie Maupin Interviewed at AAJ
Source:
All About Jazz
Bennie Maupin may be a multi-instrumentalist, but he's best-known as the bass clarinetist on albums including Miles Davis' classic Bitches Brew and Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters.
His own discography as a leader is small, but he made a welcome return this year with the Cryptogramophone release, Penumbra. A more intimate, acoustic set, it features Maupin with bassist Darek Oles, drummer Michael Stephans and longtime associate, percussionist Daryl Munyungo Jackson.
AAJ New York contributor Rex Butters had the opportunity to speak ...
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