AEC et al
The Art Ensemble of Chicago is a band usually classified as avant-garde. And labels are so very important.
The lineup has changed over the years, but its core, founding members were Lester Bowie, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarmen, Malachi Favors, and Don Moye.
Top photo: Famoudou Don Moye with the Art Ensemble, playing at the National Association of Jazz Educators conference in Detroit, 1988 (or maybe 87 or 86...?).
Second, the late Lester Bowie. Lester told Ken Burns, "Louis Armstrong was one of my first idols. I really idolized Louie, and I wanted to be like Louie. And I read the story of how King Oliver called him up to come up to Chicago to play with him. So whenever I would practice, I would practice with my horn aimed out the window, in hopes that Louie would drive by and hear me, and ask me to come play with his band. And, uh...Louie never came by."
Next, Roscoe Mitchell, also at the National Association of Jazz Educators conference.
At bottom, bassist Malachi Favors at the National Association of Jazz Educators conference.
I never got a decent picture of Joseph Jarmen.
Photos Copyright © John Kelin
