Bill Dixon 100

Bill Dixon 100 celebrates the life and legacy of trumpeter, composer, artist, educator, and political activist, Bill Dixon, in his centenary year. Resolutely determined to stay true to his artistic philosophy, resisting standard definitions of composition, timbre, and jazz, he left an indelible mark on those who received his message, especially his students at Bennington College, Vermont. In 1964, Dixon co-organised New York's landmark avant-garde festival, October Revolution in Jazz, with equal emphasis on political panel discussion and live music. In 1967, he released his first album as leader, Intents and Purposes, "one of the classic all-time jazz albums" (Kevin Le Gendre). Over his fifty year-long career, he worked with some of the most seminal figures of the Black avant-garde, including Archie Shepp, Alan Silva, William Parker, and Cecil Taylor. In the 1980s, he toured extensively in Europe, working with the likes of Barry Guy, Tony Oxley, Mario Pavone, and Peter Kowald. Dixon continued to create and inspire until his death in 2010. Part I will be a free improvised set featuring Sam Eastmond (trumpet), Noam Solomons-Wise (drums), Fergus Quill (bass), and Al Bonney (trumpet). Part II will be a performance of Index, a composition Dixon considered one of his most significant works, performed by the Index Orchestra, conducted by Sam Eastmond.