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Paul Motian
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Rest in peace!
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6,841 Posts
I'm very sorry to hear of this. I saw Paul Motian many times , first with Gato Babieri and then with the great Keith Jarrett group. I saw several editions of his own band most memorably in West Berlin with Jim Pepper, Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell.
What I liked most about his playing was its totally enigmatic feeling. He was the least obvious player I ever heard with a sense of time all his own. Its no wonder that so many great players enjoyed working with him.
What I liked most about his playing was its totally enigmatic feeling. He was the least obvious player I ever heard with a sense of time all his own. Its no wonder that so many great players enjoyed working with him.
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3,550 Posts
What sad, sad news.
My first live encounter with Paul was in the late 70's. There was a club in midtown NY tham came and went quickly, called Storyville. They had a double bill of the Archie Shepp Quartet and Dewey Redman Quartet.
I was in town and went to find this club early, around 6 pm, and there was Motian alone unloading drums from a car. I offered to help, gave him a hand and then went on my way to have some food and came back later for the music.
At the end of the night when I asked for my bill ,I was told it was already paid. Paul had covered it.
I loved to play Paul's compositions and never tired of them.
Here's the last one I recorded, his ABACUS:
http://www.box.com/s/qedhuv2g9i80fk4x7t83
A simple, enigmatic theme, just the way his drumming could be.
My first live encounter with Paul was in the late 70's. There was a club in midtown NY tham came and went quickly, called Storyville. They had a double bill of the Archie Shepp Quartet and Dewey Redman Quartet.
I was in town and went to find this club early, around 6 pm, and there was Motian alone unloading drums from a car. I offered to help, gave him a hand and then went on my way to have some food and came back later for the music.
At the end of the night when I asked for my bill ,I was told it was already paid. Paul had covered it.
I loved to play Paul's compositions and never tired of them.
Here's the last one I recorded, his ABACUS:
http://www.box.com/s/qedhuv2g9i80fk4x7t83
A simple, enigmatic theme, just the way his drumming could be.
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2,774 Posts
I love stories like that! It sounds like he was a really beautiful person in addition to being a beautiful musician. I think it's inspiring that he remained active, constantly creating and exploring new things, for his entire life.
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3,228 Posts
He brought me so much joy and depth of feeling in his music. I saw him a few times. Most recently about 2 years ago in NY at Birdland. I think it was, Paul, Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz and Brad Mehldau. It was nice to see him one last time.
I saw him with Frisell and Lovano twice at the VV and once in Seattle with the same group. Wish I had seem the band with Jim Pepper.
Anyway, he's brought so much to the music, he will be missed.
I saw him with Frisell and Lovano twice at the VV and once in Seattle with the same group. Wish I had seem the band with Jim Pepper.
Anyway, he's brought so much to the music, he will be missed.
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222 Posts
One of the most unique voices on drums ever.His style is a pure example of creativity, personality and restless investigation.A major loss.
Peace be upon his soul and joy and respect upon his memory.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Peace be upon his soul and joy and respect upon his memory.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
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200 Posts
As a sax player, I would have to file under "of course" that most of my favorite jazz albums of all time would be sax-heavy.
...and #2-10 of my Top 10 probably would be, but "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" might just be #1.
For Paul's memory, I'll file it there for this week anyway. It will never fall out of the Top 3.
What a great, great musician.
...and #2-10 of my Top 10 probably would be, but "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" might just be #1.
For Paul's memory, I'll file it there for this week anyway. It will never fall out of the Top 3.
What a great, great musician.
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6,243 Posts
A true genius in breaking the pulse. Also dug how he used musicians like the masterful and brilliant Lovano in ways I never heard. ALSO- young musicians via his mentoring abilities.
He never played the same thing twice....his drum sound was amazing- never heard another sound like it. He will be missed.
He never played the same thing twice....his drum sound was amazing- never heard another sound like it. He will be missed.
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495 Posts
A short reminiscence...
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2,326 Posts
What tasteful and always engaging drummer. Pushing boundries, so creative...beautiful musician.
Joe Lovano put a nice write-up on his website as well http://www.joelovano.com/news/detail/66/Paul-Motian
Misterioso
Paul Motian trio live w. Lovano, Frissell
Bill Evans Waltz for Debby
Joe Lovano put a nice write-up on his website as well http://www.joelovano.com/news/detail/66/Paul-Motian
Misterioso
Paul Motian trio live w. Lovano, Frissell
Bill Evans Waltz for Debby
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8,233 Posts
I saw him with Martin Speake in the UK a few years ago and he seemed like he had that kind of energy that would go on forever. He was a pretty amazing player all right. His playing career and the great recordings he was part of tell the story, really.
Thank you Ellery! That was beautiful.
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