Dixonia

A Bio-Discography of Bill Dixon

Benjamin I. Young

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Year: 1998
• Print ISBN:
  9780313302756
• eBook ISBN:
  9780313370915
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Jazz Music

In this thorough research guide to the career and music of Bill Dixon the author has documented how Dixon refined a sonically unique pan-tonal language of trumpet playing. As a trumpeter, composer, educator, and theoretician, Bill Dixon has politically and musically influenced many phases of the development of Black music in the second half of the 20th century. This authoritative guide details information about the life and music of Bill Dixon. Bill Dixon comments throughout the text on the familiar and unfamiliar aspects of his career as it unfolds between performances and recordings. The recollections of those who have collaborated with Bill Dixon over the years supplement the thorough research here presented on the life and career of Bill Dixon and, additionally, the New York avant garde artistic sphere in which he worked.

Bill Dixon has refined a sonically unique pan-tonal language of trumpet playing. As a trumpeter, composer, educator, and theoretician, Bill Dixon has politically and musically influenced many phases of the development of Black music in the second half of the 20th century. This authoritative guide details information about the life and music of Bill Dixon. Bill Dixon comments throughout the text on the familiar and unfamiliar aspects of his career as it unfolds between performances and recordings. The recollections of those who have collaborated with Bill Dixon over the years supplement the thorough research here presented on the life and career of Bill Dixon and subsequently, on the New York avant garde artistic sphere in which he worked.

Music and music history scholars, especially those interested in jazz and Black music, will be attracted to the wealth of information provided, often from primary sources, on Bill Dixon and Black music through the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The discography included encompasses issued and non-issued recordings as well as listings for every known Bill Dixon performance. Collaborations with dancers, directors, filmmakers and painters, among others, are also documented.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter One Beginnings 1925–1960
• Chapter Two Dixon-Shepp 1961–1963
• Chapter Three The Guild 1964–1965
• Chapter Four Dixon-Dunn 1966–1968
• Chapter Five Bennington/Madison 1969–1972
• Chapter Six Black Music Ensemble 1973–1974
• Chapter Seven This Is Our Strategy 1975–1979
• Chapter Eight Trio/Quartet 1980–1982
• Chapter Nine Thoughts 1983–1988
• Chapter Ten Round Up the Usual Suspects 1989–1997
• Chapter Eleven Bill Dixon's Music Played by Others
• Chapter Twelve Producer
• Chapter Thirteen Educator
• Appendix I Ensemble Members by Academic Term
• Appendix II Known Class Recordings
• Bibliography
• Index