Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton (born June 4, 1945) is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, pianist and philosopher. He has created a large body ofhighly complex work. Braxton is one of the most prolific American musicians/composers to date, having released well over 100 albums since the 1960s.Among the vast array of instruments he utilizes are the flute; the sopranino, soprano, C-Melody, F alto, E-flat alto, baritone, bass, and contrabasssaxophones; and the E-flat, B-flat, and contrabass clarinets.Braxton’s music is difficult to categorize, and because of this, he likes to reference hi ...read more
Anthony Braxton (born June 4, 1945) is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, pianist and philosopher. He has created a large body ofhighly complex work. Braxton is one of the most prolific American musicians/composers to date, having released well over 100 albums since the 1960s.Among the vast array of instruments he utilizes are the flute; the sopranino, soprano, C-Melody, F alto, E-flat alto, baritone, bass, and contrabasssaxophones; and the E-flat, B-flat, and contrabass clarinets.Braxton’s music is difficult to categorize, and because of this, he likes to reference his works (and the works of his collaborators and students) as simply“creative music.” He has claimed in numerous interviews that he is not a jazz musician, though many of his works have been jazz and improvisation oriented,and he has released many albums of jazz standards. In addition to these, Braxton has released an increasing number of works for large-scale orchestras,including two opera cycles.Braxton’s music is highly theoretical and mystically influenced, and he is the author of multiple volumes explaining his theories and pieces—such as thephilosophical three-volume Triaxium Writings and the five-volume Composition Notes, both published by Frog Peak Music. While his compositions andimprovisations can be characterized as avant-garde, many of his pieces have a swing feel and rhythmic angularity that are overtly indebted to Charlie Parkerand the bebop tradition. « hide |
