Dixonia: A Bio-Discography of Bill Dixon

(Hardback)

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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.

Reviews

[A] first-rate reference source, guaranteed to gain converts to Dixon's work and contemporary avantgarde jazz in general.-ARBA
Young's avowed aim "is to identify every known episode of Bill Dixon making music, adding relevant information about these events and their relationship to the entire trajectory of his career to date." That he has succeeded beyond all reasonable expectations is something to admire.-IAJRC Journal
"A first-rate reference source, guaranteed to gain converts to Dixon's work and contemporary avantgarde jazz in general."-ARBA
"[A] first-rate reference source, guaranteed to gain converts to Dixon's work and contemporary avantgarde jazz in general."-ARBA
"Young's avowed aim "is to identify every known episode of Bill Dixon making music, adding relevant information about these events and their relationship to the entire trajectory of his career to date." That he has succeeded beyond all reasonable expectations is something to admire."-IAJRC Journal

Author Bio

BEN YOUNG is a research coordinator in the catalog development department of Verve Records. He is also a music activist and radio host at WKCR-fm in New York City.