World Saxophone Quartet
The World Saxophone Quartet was founded in 1977 by the jazz saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake and David Murray as a saxophone quartet. In the cast of mostly two alto, a tenor and a baritone saxophone they are trying to achieve a similar sound spectrum as a classical string quartet. However, the musicians put other instruments and play - especially in later productions - including percussionists ( as with Jack DeJohnette ) and partly also with bassist together. From the quartet also smaller groups dissolve out during a performance ( for trio, duo and solo pieces ). Initially only self-penned compositions was performed, later concept albums, employing, for example, with the work of Duke Ellington or Soul music emerged.
The first concert of the quartet organized the music educator and saxophonist Kidd Jordan in New Orleans; the formation was in 1978 for the first time on tour in Europe, where it first appeared on the Moers Festival 1981 at the jazz festival Zurich and until the mid- 1980s at all the major festivals. After the departure of Hemphill Arthur Blythe came in the ensemble, but was later replaced by Eric Person, James Spaulding and then by John Purcell. Kidd Jordan was guest of honor wjq at her concert in 2009 at the Festival banlieues Bleues in France.
For recordings the quartet Jack DeJohnette (1998), DD Jackson ( 1998), Craig Harris, Matt Garrison and Billy Bang ( 2003), sometimes by musicians such as Ronnie Burrage (1996 ), extended. The quartet also appeared with David Murray M'Bizo (featuring Pinise Saul ).