Bill Dixon

One of the seminal free jazz figures, Dixon's made his mark as a player, organizer, and educator in a career that's spanned more than 40 years. Dixon is a jaggedly lyrical trumpeter -- his delivery is as vocalic as that of any free jazz trumpeter except perhaps Lester Bowie. As an improviser, he's somewhat similar in temperament to Ornette Coleman, yet his compositional style differs greatly from the altoist. Dixon's work features open space, wide intervals that do not imply a specific key or mode, and dark backdrops owing to the use of two or more double bassists. His art is eminently thoughtful even as it can be viscerally exciting.



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