Full Description
Steve Beresford's polymathic activities have formed a prism for the UK improv scene since the 1970s. He is internationally known as a free improviser on piano, toy piano and electronics, composer for film and TV, and raconteur and Dadaist visionary. His résumé is filled with collaborations with hundreds of musicians and other artists, including such leading improvisers as Derek Bailey, Evan Parker and John Zorn, and he has given performances of works by John Cage and Christian Marclay.
In this book, Beresford is heard in his own words through first-hand interviews with the author. Beresford provides compelling insight into an extensive range of topics, displaying the broad cultural context in which music is embedded. The volume combines chronological and thematic chapters, with topics covering improvisation and composition in jazz and free music; the connections between art, entertainment and popular culture; the audience for free improvisation; writing music for films; recording improvised music in the studio; and teaching improvisation. It places Beresford in the context of improvised and related musics - jazz, free jazz, free improvisation - in which there is growing interest. The linear narrative is broken up by 'interventions' or short pieces by collaborators and commentators.
Contents
List of Steve Beresford's Top Tips for Improvisers
List of illustrations
Foreword by Stewart Lee
Introduction
Short biography of Steve Beresford
1. Early Life 1950-1974, and Musical Education
Martin Mayes
2. The Portsmouth Sinfonia
Gavin Bryars
3. Second-Generation Free Improviser
Brian Marley, Mike Cooper
4. Derek Bailey
5. Company Week 1977 + The Dutch School + Alterations + White String's
Eugene Chadbourne, David Toop, Terry Day, David Brown
6. Saxophonists: Evan Parker, Tony Coe, Lol Coxhill
Evan Parker
7. Piano, Toy Piano, Toys
Chris Burn, Alex Ward, Adam Fairhall
8. Jazz, Free Jazz, And Free Improvisation
Rachel Musson
9. Teaching Improvisation
10. The 1980s And 90s
Kazuko Hohki, Jean Rochard, John Butcher, Paul Hession, Hannah Marshall
11. Film Music (Including Cue Sheets Number One) + Video Artists + Christian Marclay + Visual Art
Helen Petts
12. Graphic Notation + John Cage + Classical Music
Philip Thomas, Tania Caroline Chen, Mandhira de Saram
13. The Improv Scene + The Audience
14. Post-2000
Alan Tomlinson, Elaine Mitchener, Blanca Regina, Leila Adu-Gilmore, Cara Stacey
15. Comedy And Entertainment
16. Popular Music, Popular Culture
Tessa Pollitt, Adrian Sherwood
17. Electronics, Sound And Recording
Pat Thomas
Steve Beresford Discography
Bibliography and Discography
Index
