BARRY ALTSCHUL
Genres: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post Bop • United States

For Axiom Five search under Jon Irabagon. Barry Altschul (b. January 6, 1943, New York City) is a free jazz drummer who gained fame in the late 1960s with the pianists Paul Bley and Chick Corea. His first major gig in the late 1960s was with Paul Bley's trio. In 1969 he joined with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Anthony Braxton to form the group Circle. At the time, he made use of a high-pitched Gretsch kit with add-on drums and percussion instruments, which he integrated seamlessly in a whirlwind of sound. In the 1970s Altschul worked extensively with Anthony Braxton's quartet featuring Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, and George Lewis . Braxton, signed to Arista Records, was able to secure a large enough budget to tour with a collection of dozens of percussion instruments, strings and winds. In addition to his participation in ensembles featuring avant garde musicians, Altschul performed with Lee Konitz, read more...