ESSAYS

This section includes essays on various jazz subjects, written by a number of writers. Contributions are welcome. Writers interested in contributing are welcome to contact the editor by filling out the form in the CONTACT tab. Photographs to illustrate those essays are welcome. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of articles in this folder.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS ABRAHAMS

by Innerversitysound

Cyclic Defrost, May 22, 2018

Chris Abrahams, is a pianist based in Sydney. He has performed from the late 1970s in The Benders, The Laughing Clowns and The Necks. Among the artists with whom he has had collaborations are Clare Cooper, Melanie Oxley, Clayton Thomas, Mike Cooper, Sabine Vogel, Allesando Bosetti, Lucio Capece, Magda Mayas, Burkhard Beins and Jon Rose. He has also worked as a studio musician for artists such as The Church, The Whitlams, Midnight Oil, Wendy Matthews, Skunkhour and Silverchair. Chris Abrahams has recorded nine solo albums and 13 collaborations. His work in The Necks has produced 22 albums…

STEVE ELPHICK IN CONVERSATION

by Belinda Webster

Extempore, May, 2010

I’ve been an admirer of Steve Elphick’s bass playing for a few decades, particularly through his work with The Engine Room and his rapport with Roger Frampton who was a great friend of mine. He has played with Sandy Evans for over 30 years, Mark Simmonds, James Greening, Mara and Llew Kiek… the list goes on. That he has had such long professional relationships says a lot about the man and his abilities. In 2008 I found myself with a spare ticket to Ornette Coleman’s Sydney performance. Looking for someone who would appreciate the performance I decided to invite Steve, who had been an acquaintance for ages. Not long after that the first edition of Extempore appeared, and I was intrigued by the idea of a photo essay. I suggested to Extempore that a photo essay of Steve might be worth a look and they agreed…

PROLOGUE TO MILES THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

by Miles Davis

“Miles The Autobiography” by Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe was published in 1989.

Listen. The greatest feeling I ever had in my life—with my clothes on—was when I first heard Diz and Bird together in St Louis, Missouri, back in 1944. I was 18 years old and had just graduated from Lincoln High School. It was just across the Mississippi River in East St Louis, Illinois. When I heard Diz and Bird in B's band, I said, "What? What is this!?" Man, that shit was so terrible it was scary. I mean, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker, Buddy Anderson, Gene Ammons, Lucky Thompson, and Art Blakey all together in one band and not to mention Billy Eckstine himself. It was a motherfucker…