Matano Roberts and Julie Tippetts

I find that I really enjoy avant-garde jazz music, so I decided to explore some of the music for my blog post this week. Female avant-garde jazz artists are few and far between. But there are several who excel in the field. Here I will discuss Matano Roberts and Julie Tippetts.

Matano Roberts is from Chicago and grew up surrounded by musical mentors. She tries to speak through her music to address the issues int the world today.

Here is how her website describes her:

Matana (m(a)-ta-na\) Roberts; internationally documented, chicago born saxophonist/improviser/ composer/sound conceptualist; working in various mediums of performance inquiry; has created alongside visionary experimentalists of this time period in various areas of improvisation, dance, poetry, visual art, theater; as a saxophonist, documented on sound recordings as collaborator, side woman and leader. some recent work focused on the place/problem of memory/tradition as recognized, deciphered, deconstructed, interrogated through radical modes of sound communication, alternative styles of musical notation, and multi genres of improvisation; based in new york city.


To me this sounds pretty accurate for one who wants to pursue avant-garde jazz. She is also a member of the Association for the Advance of Creative Musicians.

Julie Tippets was born in London. She was initially a 60s pop diva but then became interested in jazz. I find it hard to really characterize avant-garde jazz, or define what makes it avant-garde or if a piece falls within the genre. That said I find this piece really cool whether its avant-arde or not!

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=14076
http://www.matanaroberts.com/who-0
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/julie-driscoll-p17141/biography
http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/avant-garde-jazz-d7725


Critical Listening:
Keith Tippet, Julie Tippetts with Louis Moholo and Minafric Orchestra
"Viva La Black"
Video above
Form ABA

Begins with bass then drums enter. Trumpet comes in with screeching notes and the rhythm section fills out. Vocals begin while the trumpet continues with its solo. The rest of the horn section comes in backing up the trumpet and contributing to the rhythm section The vocals become more prominent and flowing. They begin to flow with the trumpet. Following the chorus played by whole ensemble section, the trombone takes a solo. The horns reenter with accents part way through the trombone solo then the vocals reenter. The main melody is restated. I enjoyed the whole piece. The solos were interesting and I liked the latin infusion.