Bill Bruford

William Scott "Bill" Bruford ( born May 17, 1949 in Sevenoaks, Kent, England ) is a British drummer who by his forceful, highly precise, virtuosic complex polyrhythmic and polymetric style of play and as a prominent person of progressive rock movement of the is the late 1960s and 1970s as well as the jazz scene known. Bruford was mainly because known that he has to play the drums revolutionized by the use of electronic drums and the melodic drumming style.

• 4.1 Yes
• 4.2 King Crimson
• 4.3 Steve Howe
• 4.4 Chris Squire
• 4.5 Rick Wakeman
• 4.6 Absolute Elsewhere
• 4.7 Pavlov 's Dog
• 4.8 UK
• 4.9 Bruford
• Genesis 4:10
• 4:11 With Patrick Moraz
• 4:12 Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe
• 4.13 Yes some musicians
• 4:14 Earthworks
• 4:15 With The New Percussion Group of Amsterdam
• 4:16 Bruford with Ralph Towner and Eddie Gomez
• Bruford Levin Upper Extremities 4:17
• 4:18 Gordian Knot
• 4:19 with Tim Garland
• 4:20 With Michiel Borstlap
• 4:21 With David Torn
• 4:22 With Kazumi Watanabe

Career

Early years

With twelve years Bruford got his first drum set from his parents. At this time he already heard British jazz, including Chris Barber and Acker Bilk. A short time later he followed the BBC series Jazz 625 on television, on which he met the current American stars. 1962 gave him his sister, his first pair of brushes.

In the years 1963-1967 Bruford played with jazz interested classmates. He gets temporarily music lessons, among his teachers is Lou Pocock, drummer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Yes (1968-1972)

Bruford began his professional career as a member of the British progressive rock band Yes, to which he belonged from 1968 to 1972. In June 1968 vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire in London formed the band to which a short time later, the keyboardist Tony Kaye, guitarist Peter Banks and Bill Bruford last met. In October he left the band to take a degree in economics and sociology at the University of Leeds. When Yes found an adequate substitute, but he was then persuaded to stay permanently in the band.

The first two Yes - plates, still heavily influenced by the Beatles and the pop music of the late 1960s are marked by Bruford for this context unusually jazzy drumming. On three further albums, The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge, which today are considered classics of the progressive rock, he developed his own characteristic rock drumming style, which retained elements of jazz, but it is clear to settle in the skirt area. An early example of his characteristic orchestral playing is the piece Heart of the Sunrise from the album Fragile (1971).

Strained by time-consuming perfectionism Yes' and convinced that he had achieved with Close to the Edge to the summit of the creative possibilities of the band, Bruford left Yes in 1972 to Robert Fripp's King Crimson to join. Yes, that stood just before the start of a great tour, Bruford replaced by former drummer of the band John Lennon, Alan White.

King Crimson (1972-1974)

The dark, avant -garde, like the Jazz be built on improvisation Music King Crimson had Bruford fascinated for several years. Bandleader Robert Fripp, who was faced in 1972 with the task of an entirely new band together (since the previous cast was fallen apart after the last tour ), was next Bruford Ex -Family singer and bassist John Wetton, Jamie Muir (percussion ) and the violinist David Cross engage. The texts wrote Wetton longtime friend Richard Palmer - James.

The music of the new cast united influences of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with jazz and experimental elements. Especially the rhythm section Bruford and Wetton stood out due to their precision and improvisation.

With King Crimson Bruford played a three albums until Fripp dissolved the band to Red in September 1974.

In the meantime (1973 ) Bruford had married.

Sessions (1975/1976)

Thereafter, he joined various bands that he played and toured first with Gong. In 1975, he worked as a session musician for his former Yes colleague Steve Howe and Chris Squire, Roy Harper and the band Pavlov 's Dog, Absolute Elsewhere and National Health.

In 1976 he played with Phil Collins ' Brand X and joined for a short time Genesis, where he replaced Collins on drums, as he took over the tasks of Peter Gabriel as a singer. With Genesis Bruford played his 1,000. Concert and listen to the live album Seconds Out.

UK (1977-1980)

1977 there had been discussions between Bruford, Wetton and former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman. However, a planned musical collaboration did not materialize, as Wakeman record company contractual reasons prevented the formation of a new band. However, the three musicians together wrote some songs, including Back to the Beginning, Beelzebub and Paper Talk, some of which were later re-recorded for solo albums by Wetton and Bruford.

However, Bruford and Wetton wanted to continue their cooperation. Each of them tried, therefore, to gain another musician for a now newly formed band. Bruford was able to engage the popular fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth, Wetton hired the keyboardist and violinist Eddie Jobson, who had previously become acquainted with Curved Air and Roxy Music. Together they founded the last progressive rock supergroup of the 1970s, UK.

In this line, however, the band played only in 1978 published debut album in UK one. After a successful world tour, Holdsworth and Bruford left the band. Bruford was replaced by Terry Bozzio (ex - Frank Zappa ) and the band continued to work as a trio.

Bruford (1977-1980)

Also in 1977, Bruford decided to start a solo career. With Dave Stewart (keyboards), Jeff Berlin (bass ) and Allan Holdsworth (guitar), he founded the fusion band Bruford. These exist in a parallel to the UK.

On the first album Feels Good to Me ( 1977) sang Annette Peacock, the second album, One of a Kind (1978 ), however, was instrumental. After this album Holdsworth left the band unsatisfied. In 1979 The Bruford Tapes and 1980 Gradually Going Tornado. 1980 toured Bruford band together with Brand X. In the same year the band Bruford triggered by massive problems with their record company EC on.

Reunification of King Crimson (1980-1985)

Even after the end of the Progressive Rock UK Bruford remained connected: in early 1981 and he thought Robert Fripp about starting a new band after they first wanted to call Discipline. The two dedicated bassist Tony Levin (ex - John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Peter Gabriel ) and Adrian Belew, who was with the Talking Heads on tour as second guitarist alongside Fripp. During the rehearsals and first concerts became clear that the new band is basically a new King Crimson lineup represented and you called himself, also on market- strategic reasons, in " King Crimson " to. Created the albums Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair In this lineup. On these albums can be heard for the first time Simmons Electronic Drums with whom Bruford had begun to experiment. Owing to considerable tensions within the band (especially between Fripp and Belew and between Fripp and Bruford ) triggered Fripp King Crimson in 1984 again.

During his time with King Crimson, Bruford had played more sessions, including for Lucasfilm, Al Di Meola and Simon Darlow.

Moraz - Bruford (1984/1985)

It was followed by two albums with the Moody Blues and former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz -, on whose first solo album (1974 ) Bruford had played drums, Music for Piano and Drums (1983) and flags ( 1985). The two musicians toured the United States and Europe.

Sessions (1986 )

In 1986, Bruford played again a number of sessions. Among other things, he worked with David Torn, Tony Levin and Mark Isham.

Earth Works ( since 1986)

1986 called the jazz band Bruford Earthworks in life. At this time you were out of it at the keyboardist Django Bates, saxophonist Iain Ballamy and Mick Hutton. The band initially called Bill Bruford Quartet. In October they released their first album, Earthworks. The band toured through Japan then.

The following year, he toured with Earthworks, David Torn and Mick Karn and worked in Japan with Kazumi Watanabe together.

Even in 1988 with Bruford Earthworks was on the road, but had to be canceled a series of concerts: Hutton and Ballamy quarreled, and Ballamy married his girlfriend, who was suffering from cancer for some time. A week after the wedding she died.

Nevertheless, the band recorded in November to work on their second album, Dig? on.

Again with Yes (1989-1992)

Frustrated by his ever-decreasing influence on the fortunes of Yes, took singer Jon Anderson 1988 contact with Bruford, guitarist Steve Howe ( Yes until 1980 ) and Rick Wakeman ( Yes until 1980 ) on. Impressed by Bruford's electronic drums Anderson explained his plan, and Bruford agreed, initially in the belief that he should be involved on a solo project Andersons. Another reason that he joined the new band, was that Anderson and later Howe the music had been composed largely because Bruford be involved due to his previous experience with the perfectionism of the band under any circumstances in the development of music wanted. As first, the idea was in the room to work with Chris Squire, he refused vehemently because he wanted to not play with the in his eyes too lazy bass player. Instead, he suggested Tony Levin, whom he had met King Crimson ago and the bass parts grossed in the sequence on the new album.

Bruford played with the finally Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe said tape up a studio album before Anderson and the record companies involved in the band with the same existing merged Yes - against the will Bruford Wakeman and. 1991 appeared the controversial Yes album Union in which eight fractious Yes musicians and numerous session musicians were involved. 1992 Bruford left the band in 1993 published The Symphonic Music of Yes is so far his last collaboration with Yes - musicians.

During his time with Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe and Yes Bruford also played some concerts with Earthworks. In January 1991 the band had even found time to record their third album, (All Heaven Broke Loose ).

On January 16, 1991 Bruford played his 2000th concert.

Again, in King Crimson (1994-1997)

1993 had given their time being last concert Earthworks. Django Bates ' career was so positive that he left Bruford's band. 1994 Bruford played again Sessions, this time for the Buddy Rich Big Band, Joe Hisaishi and Keyfax software.

Around the time of his exit with Yes King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp had developed the idea within a band to face two equally occupied units trio (guitar, bass and drums ) to each other. Fripp wanted to make himself with the guitarist / bassist Trey Gunn and drummer Pat Mastelotto a trio, for the other Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Peter Gabriel drummer Jerry Marotta were provided. In its place, however, Bill Bruford was hired again. This so-called Fripp double- trio played in the following years the two studio albums Vrooom (1994) and Thracian (1995 ) as well as some live albums. Musically connected the new King Crimson line-up again hard rock elements with noise music and the oriented more on the classic pop song style of 1980's lineups. While Pat Mastelotto played here a clear, steady beat, Bruford took on the role of the free active drummer, who used this freedom to create polymetric rhythms.

In King Crimson breaks Bruford played with the World Percussion Ensemble, also Chad Wackerman, Luis Conte and Doudou N'Daiye Rose belonged.

Because of the extremely high maintenance costs for a six -piece band, it was not possible longer continue working in this way, and Fripp decided to split the band into several varying sub-units with three, four or five musicians who played mainly improvised music at very short notice, in the result should be included in a new project of the entire group. It created the projects ProjeKct One, Two ProjeKct, ProjeKct Three and Four ProjeKct who gave some concerts in the U.S. and Japan over a short period of time. At the end of this band phase, 1997, Bruford left due to new disputes with Fripp the band to now devote full a career in jazz can.

Return to Jazz

1997 played Bruford with Ralph Towner and Eddie Gomez If Summer Had the album its Ghosts and founded together with Tony Levin Bruford Levin Upper Extremities, the band (BLUE).

At the same time a new edition called Bruford Earthworks to life, with Steve Hamilton, Geoff Gascoigne and Patrick Clahar. The new band toured alternating with B.L.U.E. Appeared in 1998 Earthworks ' A Part and Yet Apart

Bruford sought new ways of marketing and launched, initially hesitant, an Internet presence.

1999 planned Eddie Jobson, a remake of the UK. An album called Legacy in the cast Jobson, Bruford, Wetton was recorded with guest musicians Tony Levin (bass ), Francis Dunnery (guitar) and Steve Hackett (guitar) in 1999. However, Wetton left the project soon. Later Bruford had to delete his posts. A new recording as a solo album Jobsons was initially intended, but the album was never completed because of the dispute over the ownership had arisen in the recordings.

Bruford now turned definitively to jazz. He played with Larry Coryell and took Earthworks album The Sound of Surprise ( 2000) on. On his website he has now been a musician, composer, manager and sales manager. Due to the additional work, however, the share back to he composed pieces on Bruford albums. Another problem was the declining number of concerts, which made ​​it difficult Bruford to keep his playful level.

In 2002 he released Earthworks ' Footloose and Fancy Free, along with the DVD Footloose in NYC. Since that year he has been working next to it along with the Dutch pianist Michiel Borstlap.

In 2004, Bruford record labels Summerfold and Winterfold Records, which enabled him to restructure its varied tasks. Since then appear on Summerfold new releases, Winterfold on archive material. The sales took Rob Aylings company Voiceprint. Nevertheless Earthworks concerts were rare in the following years. Only since 2006 Bruford again concentrating as a musician. The two new labels produced for the first time in 2007 profit; at this time about 30 titles were published. In addition, Bruford continued his collaboration with Michiel Borstlap continued. On 1 January 2009, he was surprisingly announced his resignation and withdrew into retirement.

Style

Bruford's style is characterized by his talent for polyrhythms ( see for instance the King Crimson albums of the 1980s ) and his pronounced melodic, orchestral game determined ( see for example his work with Yes and Patrick Moraz ). He is regarded as very precise drummer. A characteristic feature is the sharp, bright sound of his snare drum, which is generated by a rimshot.

Bruford's drums

Bruford is valid from the beginning of his career as an innovator. So he brought the jazz drums in the Progressive Rock and was the beginning of the 1980s, a pioneer of the new Simmons Electronic Drums, which he about fifteen years, during his time with King Crimson, Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe and Yes, combined with an acoustic set. With Yes, he played 1991/1992 the most expensive drum kit in the world ( two Simmons SDX worth 40,000 U.S. dollars).

Only in his jazz band Earthworks he returned gradually back to a purely acoustic kit.

Bruford played in comparison to other drummers pretty little kit ( Tama Starclassic or Starclassic Performer), consisting of:

Since the early days of Yes, the exceptionally high pitched snare drum Bruford 's trademark. This special sound arose from the fact that Yes bassist Chris Squire played with fondness particularly high notes, what to Bruford brought his instrument to tune accordingly.

Pool ( Paiste ):

• 5 " A. A. Meinl and 8 LP Cowbells

Bruford's arrangement of the individual percussion instruments is unusual. A number of pool before a series drums, all the drums are horizontal, with the snare drum in the center and two toms in a symmetrical arrangement on the left and right of it (usually a structure according to the pitch, ascending from right to left). This arrangement is technically demanding, but in contrast, creates new ways to play.

Discography

Yes

• Yes (1969 )
• Time and a Word (1970 )
• The Yes Album ( 1971)
• Fragile (1972)
• Close to the Edge ( 1972)
• Yessongs (1973, live)
• Union ( 1991)

King Crimson

• Larks ' Tongues in Aspic (1973 )
• Starless and Bible Black ( 1974)
• Red (1974 )
• USA (1975, live 1974)
• Discipline (1981 )
• Beat ( 1982)
• Three of a Perfect Pair (1984 )
• The Great Deceiver (1992, live from 1973 to 1974 )
• Vrooom (1994 )
• Thracian (1995 )
• B'Boom: Live in Argentina (1995, live 1994)
• THRaKaTTaK (1996, live 1995)
• The Night Watch (1997, live 1973)
• Absent Lovers (1998, live 1984)
• Live at the Jazz Cafe (1999, live 1997)
• Vrooom Vrooom (2001, live 1995-1996)

Steve Howe

• Beginnings ( 1975)
• The Steve Howe Album ( 1979)
• Turbulence (1991 )

Chris Squire

• Fish out of Water ( 1975)

Rick Wakeman

• The Six Wives of Henry VIII ( 1973)
• The Classical Connection 2 (1991 )

Absolute Elsewhere

• In Search of Ancient Gods (1976 )

Pavlov 's Dog

UK

• U.K. (1978)

Bruford

• Feels Good to Me ( 1977)
• One of a Kind (1978 )
• Bruford - Rock Goes to College (2006, recordings of 1979)
• The Bruford Tapes (1979, live)
• Gradually Going Tornado (1980 )
• Master Strokes: 1978-1985 (1986, compilation )

Genesis

• Seconds Out (1977, live)
• Three Sides Live (1982, live)
• Archives II - 1976-1992 (2000)

With Patrick Moraz

• Music for Piano and Drums (1983 )
• Flags (1985 )
• In Tokyo (2009)

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe

• Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989 )
• In the Big Dream ( 1989)
• An Evening of Yes Music Plus (1993 )

With some Yes - musicians

• The Symphonic Music of Yes (1993 )

Earthworks

• Earthworks (1987 )
• Dig? (1989)
• All Heaven Broke Loose ( 1991)
• Stamping Ground: Bill Bruford 's Earthworks Live (1994, live)
• Heavenly Bodies (1997, compilation )
• A Part and Yet Apart ( 1999)
• Sound of Surprise ( 2001)
• Footloose and Fancy Free ( 2002, live)
• Random Acts of Happiness (2004, live)

With The New Percussion Group of Amsterdam

• Go Between (1987 )

Bruford with Ralph Towner and Eddie Gomez

• If Summer Had Its Ghosts ( 1997)

Bruford Levin Upper Extremities

• Bruford Levin Upper Extremities (1998)
• B.L.U.E. Nights (2000, live)

Gordian Knot

• Emergent (2003)

With Tim Garland

• Random Acts of Happiness ( 2004)
• Earthworks Underground Orchestra (2006)

With Michiel Borstlap

• Every Step a Word, Every Word a Song (2004)
• In Two Minds (2007)

With David Torn

• Cloud About Mercury (1986 )

With Kazumi Watanabe

• The Spice of Life ( 1987)
• The Spice of Life Too ( 1988)