The Squid's Ear Magazine

McPhee, Joe

Straight Up, Without Wings [BOOK]

McPhee, Joe: Straight Up, Without Wings [BOOK] (Corbett vs. Dempsey)

Joe McPhee recounts his journey from his formative years and time in the army to his evolution as a creative free jazz saxophonist and trumpeter, sharing experiences and encounters with artists such as Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Peter Brötzmann, and Pauline Oliveros; featuring a foreword by Fred Moten and an afterword by Moor Mother.
 

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Joe McPhee


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First printing, edition of 1000. Paper: Magno Natural 240 gsm, Arena Bulk Natural 90 gsm. 15.5 cm x 21.5 cm.

UPC: 9781737847045

Label: Corbett vs. Dempsey
Catalog ID: CvsD0126
Squidco Product Code: 35454

Format: BOOK
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: USA
Packaging: Book

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"In Straight Up, Without Wings, Joe McPhee surveys sixty years in creative music. Starting with his trumpeter-father's influence and formative years in the U.S. Army, McPhee recounts experiences as a Black-hippy-cum-budding-musician based in upstate New York, perched at an ideal distance from Manhattan's free jazz demimonde of the 1960s and its loft scene of the 1970s.

A natural storyteller, revealing never-told tales and reveling in the joys of noise, McPhee puts the influence of - and encounters with - Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Albert Ayler into the context of an independently-minded young player, ravenous for experience, dealing with the crucible of racism, seeking to break out beyond the bounds of a regional Hudson Valley scene that he knows like the back of his hand.

The memoir draws forward through thrilling passages in Europe and across the United States, as McPhee gains momentum, as his music becomes the impetus for multiple record labels, as he collaborates with figures from Peter Brötzmann to Pauline Oliveros, and as he eventually goes on to inspire musicians far and wide. Written as an oral history, deftly conducted by Mike Faloon to preserve McPhee's unique narrative voice, Straight Up, Without Wings includes "reflections" by eight musicians from across the protagonist's rich history."-Corbett Vs Dempsey



"Joe McPhee is a multi-instrumentalist, improvisor, composer, and poet based in Poughkeepsie, New York. His acclaimed LP Nation Time was recorded in 1970; fifty years later, its track "Shakey Jake" was featured in the "Defiant Jazz" episode of the television series Severance. McPhee has recorded for numerous record labels, including CjR and Hat Hut, both of which were founded expressly to release his music. His most recent production is Musings of a Bahamian Son, which features McPhee reciting his own poetry.

Mike Faloon is a teacher and writer based in New York's Hudson Valley. He is the author of The Other Night at Quinn's: New Adventures in the Sonic Underground.

Fred Moten is a poet, scholar, editor, educator, and performer based in New York. Among his many books are In the Break, The Feel Trio, Black and Blur, and perennial presence fashion falling.

Moor Mother is a poet, professor, musician, and interdisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles. She is half of Black Quantum Futurism. Her discography includes Black Encylopedia, Jazz Codes, and The Great Bailout, and her most recent book is American Equations in Black Classical Music."


First printing, edition of 1000. Paper: Magno Natural 240 gsm, Arena Bulk Natural 90 gsm. 15.5 cm x 21.5 cm.

Artist Biographies

"Joe McPhee, born November 3,1939 in Miami, Florida, USA, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser, conceptualist and theoretician. He began playing the trumpet at age eight, taught by his father, himself a trumpet player. He continued on that instrument through his formative school years and later in a U.S. Army band stationed in Germany, at which time he was introduced to performing traditional jazz. Clifford Thornton's Freedom and Unity, released in 1969 on the Third World label, is the first recording on which he appears as a side man. In 1968, inspired by the music of Albert Ayler, he took up the saxophone and began an active involvement in both acoustic and electronic music.

His first recordings as leader appeared on the CJ Records label, founded in 1969 by painter Craig Johnson. These include Underground Railroad by the Joe McPhee Quartet (1969), Nation Time (1970), Trinity (1971) and Pieces of Light (1974). In 1975, Swiss entrepreneur Werner X. Uehlinger release Black Magic Man by McPhee, on what was to become Hat Hut Records.

In 1981, he met composer, accordionist, performer, and educator Pauline Oliveros, whose theories of "deep listening" strengthened his interests in extended instrumental and electronic techniques. he also discovered Edward de Bono's book Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity, which presents concepts for solving problems by "disrupting an apparent sequence and arriving at the solution from another angle." de Bono's theories inspired McPhee to apply this "sideways thinking" to his own work in creative improvisation, resulting in the concept of "Po Music." McPhee describes "Po Music" as a "process of provocation" (Po is a language indicator to show that provocation is being used) to "move from one fixed set of ideas in an attempt to discover new ones." He concludes, "It is a Positive, Possible, Poetic Hypothesis." The results of this application of Po principles to creative improvisation can be heard on several Hat Art recordings, including Topology, Linear B, and Oleo & a Future Retrospective.

In 1997, McPhee discovered two like-minded improvisers in bassist Dominic Duval and drummer Jay Rosen. The trio premiered at the Vision Jazz Festival in 1998 but the concert went unnoticed by the press. McPhee, Duval, and Rosen therefore decided that an apt title for the group would be Trio X. In 2004 he created Survival Unit III with Fred Lonberg-Holm and Michael Zerang to expand his musical horizons and with a career spanning nearly 50 years and over 100 recordings, he continues to tour internationally, forge new connections while reaching for music's outer limits."

-Joe McPhee Website (http://joemcphee.com/bio.html)
12/3/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



By Joe McPhee as told to Mike Faloon

Foreword by Fred Moten

Afterword by Moor Mother

Related Categories of Interest:


Book
Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Joe McPhee
New in Improvised Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers

Search for other titles on the label:
Corbett vs. Dempsey.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Jazzmen, The w/ Joe McPhee
Nineteen Sixty-Six
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
Possibly Joe McPhee's earliest recording, this session with bassist Tyrone Crabb's band, The Jazzmen, features McPhee on trumpet alongside saxophonists Harry Hall and Reggie Marks, pianist Mike Kull, and drummer Charlie Benjamin, performing two extended pieces, including the politically charged 'Killed in Vietnam' that evolves into a passionate interpretation of Miles Davis' 'Milestones'.
Tabbal, Tani Quartet (w/ McPhee / Bisio / Siegel)
Intentional
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Drummer with some of the most significant of free jazz icons--Roscoe Mitchell, David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Anthony Braxton, &c.--Tani Tabbal's own trio with fellow New Yorkers Michael Bisio on bass and Adam Siegel on alto sax are joined by Joe McPhee on tenor sax, with compositions from each of Tabbal, Bisio and Joe McPhee, plus four collective improvisations.
McPhee, Joe / Mette Rasmussen / Dennis Tyfus
Oblique Strategies [VINYL]
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An unrestrained album of free jazz, unorthodox electronic excursions and vocal irascibility as legendary tenor saxophonist Joe McPhee joins the Bazuinschal duo of alto saxophonist Mette Rasmussen and percussionist & electronic manipulator Dennis Tyfus (Ultra Eczema) for this singularly unusual 2018 concert at Het Bos, in Antwerp, Belgium; magnificently indescribable!
Swell, Steve / Joe Mcphee / Chris Corsano
Sometimes The Air Is
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A masterful album of collective free improvisation captured in Brooklyn's Park West Studios by Jim Clouse, of the trio of tenor saxophonist Joe McPhee, trombonist Steve Swell and drummer Chris Corsano, ten conversations of diverse approach, from reflectively abstract to uncompromisingly assertive discourse that is ultimately fueled by a joyful camaraderie.
McPhee, Joe Quartet +1 Kirk Knuffke
Keep The Dream Up
(Listen! Foundation (Fundacja Sluchaj!))
Long a fan of his music, NY trumpeter Kirk Knuffke joined with saxophonist Joe McPhee and his quartet of Christof Knoche (bass clarinet), Michael Bisio (bass) and Jay Rosen (drums), following Knuffke's wife's advice to "keep the dream up" as the quintet recorded a series of exceptional collective improvisations, one Knuffke compositions and at Knuffke's request, a poem/"Invocation" from McPhee.
McPhee, Joe / John Edwards
Tell Me How Long Has Trane Been Gone (for James Baldwin And John Coltrane)
(Klanggalerie)
The incredible first meeting between legendary saxophonist Joe McPhee and double bassist John Edwards is this performance at the 2019 Artacts festival in Austria, a powerfully reflective free jazz concert with McPhee speaking & preaching about the loss of giants John Coltrane, Albert Ayler and James Baldwin, as they stand upon their shoulders through free music.
Blue Reality Quartet (Joe McPhee / Michael Marcus / Jay Rosen / Warren Smith)
Ella's Island
(Mahakala Music)
The 2nd album from the quartet of Joe McPhee on tenor saxophone, Warren Smith on vibraphone, Michael Marcus on reeds and Jay Rosen on drums, formed from a 2018 Jazzgalerie Nickelsdorf date with NY drummer Jay Rosen rounding out the quartet, this album extends their accessibly relaxed and creatively magnificent approach to free and structured jazz.
McPhee / Edwards / Kugel
Existential Moments
(Not Two)
The 3rd album from the touring trio of Joe McPhee on trumpet & tenor sax, John Edwards on double bass and Klaus Kugel on drums, following their previous NotTwo releases A Night In Alchemia and Journey To Parazzar, here captured live at FreeJazzSaar 2019, in Saarbrucken, Germany for a boisterously exciting set of three collective improvisations, including a tip of the hat to Charles Gayle.
Survival Unit III (McPhee / Lonberg-Holm / Zerang)
The Art of Flight: For Alvin Fielder [VINYL + DOWNLOAD]
(Astral Spirits)
A fully acoustic set of creative free improvisation from the Survival Unit III trio of Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello, Joe McPhee on tenor saxophone & pocket trumpet and Michael Zerang on percussion, performing at the 2018 The Instigation Festival in New Orleans in a set of concerts that also was drummer Alvin Fielder's last concert, to whom this album is dedicated.
A Pride of Lions (McPhee / Lazro / Abrams / Seguron / Taylor)
No Questions - No Answers
(RogueArt)
The 3rd meeting of the transatlantic quintet of Joe McPhee on alto & soprano saxophones and pocket trumpet, Daunik Lazro on tenor & baritone saxophones, Joshua Abrams on double bass & guembri, Guillaume Seguron on double bass and Chad Taylor on drums & mbira is heard in this exceptional 2018 concert at the International Jazzfestival Saalfelden in Salzburg, Austria.
Vandermark, Ken w/ Butcher / Drake / Kessler / McPhee / Mori / Noble / Prevost / Rasmussen / Tilbury / Wooley
Unexpected Alchemy [7-CD BOX]
(Not Two)
Recorded during Ken Vandermark's residency titled "The Unexpectable", in Krakow in 2017 at Klub Alchemia, plus concerts at Hevre and Black Box in Germany, with duos, trios and quartets in a variety of configurations with artists including Ken Vandermark, Nate Wooley, Ikue Mori, John Butcher, Kent Kessler, Steve Noble, Mette Rasmussen, Eddie Prevost, Joe McPhee &c.
McPhee, Joe / John Edwards / Klaus Kugel
A Night In Alchemia
(Not Two)
The working trio of New York trumpeter & saxophonist Joe McPhee, London double bassist John Edwards, and German drummer Klaus Kugel, actively touring through Europe since 2017, are heard live at Alchemia in Krakow, Poland in 2018, for four monumental examples of free improvisation in superlative playing with intense rhythmic interaction and deeply expressive soloing.
Imaginary Numbers (McPhee / Niggenkemper / Solberg)
Imaginary Numbers
(Clean Feed)
Playing both pocket trumpet and tenor sax, Joe McPhee joins German/French/NY bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, and Norwegian drummer Stale Liavik Solberg, for an authoritative and bold album of collective free improv, three extended conversations that center on "A Supreme Love (For John Coltrane)", pointing to the history and sympathies of these impressive musicians.
Ellis, Lisle / Cauley / Robinson / Ruthier / Ochs / McPhee / Spearman
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1995 recordings of the superb saxophone trio of Evan Paker on tenor & soprano, Daunik Lazro on alto & baritone, and Joe McPhee on alto & soprano, plus alto clarinet and pocket trumpet, a group that went undocumented until this live concert tape at Willisau was discovered.
Universal Indians w/ Joe McPhee
Skullduggery [VINYL 2 LPs]
(Clean Feed)
The free improvising trio of John Dikeman on sax, Jon Rune Strom on bass, and Tollef Ostvang on drums, invites Joe McPhee on pocket trumpet and alto sax for a release of rugged free improv using unorthodox approaches and amazing dexterity in their playing.
McPhee / Saft / Morris / Downs
Ticonderoga
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A burning spiritual session inspired by John Coltrane's "Live at the Village Vanguard Again" that began when Jamie Saft told Joe Morris about his deep admiration for Alice Coltrane's playing, adding McPhee and Downs as the perfect complement to realize this excellent album.
Universal Indians + Joe McPhee (Dikeman / Strom / Ostvang)
Skullduggery
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The free improvising trio of John Dikeman on sax, Jon Rune Strom on bass, and Tollef Ostvang on drums, invites Joe McPhee on pocket trumpet and alto sax for a release of rugged free improv using unorthodox approaches and amazing dexterity in their playing.
McPhee, Joe
Sonic Elements
(Clean Feed)
A distinctive solo album from legendary New York saxophonist and pocket trumpeter Joe McPhee, playing two extended solo improvisations, one dedicated to the late trumpeter Don Cherry, and one to innovative saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
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Now Is
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Bassist Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten is joined by key improvisers Joe McPhee (sax), Joe Morris (guitar) and Nate Wooley (trumpet) for this improvised studio recording, free improvisation with the influence of swing and blues.
Mcphee, Joe / Ingebrigt Haker Flaten
Brooklyn DNA
(Clean Feed)
A project about the rich jazz history of Brooklyn, NY, recorded in that burrough by NY saxophonist Joe McPhee & bassist Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, referencing Putnam Central, The Blue Coronet, Sonny Rollins, and Brooklyn itself.
McPhee, Joe / Survival Unit II / Thorton, Clifford
N.Y., N.Y., 1971
(Hatology)
Other Recommended Releases:
Jazzmen, The w/ Joe McPhee
Nineteen Sixty-Six
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
Possibly Joe McPhee's earliest recording, this session with bassist Tyrone Crabb's band, The Jazzmen, features McPhee on trumpet alongside saxophonists Harry Hall and Reggie Marks, pianist Mike Kull, and drummer Charlie Benjamin, performing two extended pieces, including the politically charged 'Killed in Vietnam' that evolves into a passionate interpretation of Miles Davis' 'Milestones'.
Mcphee, Joe / Ken Vandermark
Musings of a Bahamian Son: Poems and Other Words
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
27 concise poems written and read by saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee, punctuated by 9 musical interludes between McPhee on soprano sax and Chicago reedist Ken Vandermark on clarinet and bass, fortifying McPhee's captivating words that mix life observations among jazz references to Dolphy, Monk, Brötzmann, Coleman, &c.; a truly embraceable "book" of poetry.
McPhee, Joe / Evan Parker
Sweet Nothings (For Milford Graves)
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
A confluence of masterful playing through two soprano & two tenor saxophones plus one pocket cornet, as Evan Parker and Joe McPhee perform live in 2003 at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the Empty Bottle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music, weaving lines with intricately relaxed confidence and coming together for beautiful moments of lyrical connection.
Brotzmann, Peter Chicago Tentet
Ultraman vs. Alien Metron [SINGLE SIDED VINYL]
(Corbett vs. Dempsey)
Recorded during the 2002 studio sessions that yielded the albums A Short Visit to Nowhere and Broken English, this unreleased recording of a Mars Williams composition is issued as a 1-sided LP with the stellar lineup of Brötzmann with Williams, Ken Vandermark, Jeb Bishop, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Kent Kessler, Michael Zerang, Hamid Drake, Mats Gustafsson and Joe McPhee.



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