BILL DIXON

Seminal American free jazz trumpeter (also played the flugelhorn and piano), artist, educator (Professor of Music at Bennington College, Vermont, from 1968 to 1995, where he founded the college's Black Music Division), and founder of the Jazz Composers Guild. He was A&R producer for Savoy Records during the 60's b. October 5, 1925 (Nantucket, MA, USA) d. June 16, 2010 (North Bennington, VT, USA) from discogs One of the seminal free jazz figures, Bill Dixon made his mark as a player, organizer, and educator in a career that spanned more than 50 years. Dixon was a jaggedly lyrical trumpeter -- his delivery was as vocalic as that of any free jazz trumpeter except perhaps Lester Bowie. As an improviser, he was somewhat similar in temperament to Ornette Coleman, yet his compositional style differed greatly from the altoist. Dixon's work featured open space, wide intervals that did not imply a specific key or mode, read more...