The Matthew Shipp Discography A work in progress by Rick Lopez. Born April 27, 1998 UPDATE March 24, 2012
Photo of Mr. Shipp copyright © Susan O'Connor. Reproduced with permission.

• The Matthew Shipp Website, a treasure-trove of articles, interviews and photos.
• Contact Alan Schneider (Matthew Shipp Management / No More Records) for bookings, tour info, recordings, etc.
• Tour and concert info at AUM Fidelity.
• Henry Rollins' 2.13.61 Records / Infinite Zero Web-site for Shipp info.
• Perfect Sound Forever, June 1999 issue / Extensive Matthew Shipp Interview by Dave Reitzes.
• Info (including Shipp's "Boxing and Jazz"; an interview from NOW Magazine; a feature from the Boston Phoenix) at AUM Fidelity website.
• Matthew Shipp interview by Pete Gershon.
• Adam Shatz's feature article on Matthew Shipp: POP MUSIC; A Jazz Pianist Stands Tall in the Rock Underground, from the January 25, 1998 Sunday Arts and Leisure section of the New York Times.
• "Matthew Shipp meditates on the philosophical and spiritual natures of improvisation" -- excerpt from issue #1 of Chris Rice's Halana Magazine.
  [This also includes a 45 rpm single from the September 1, 1995 session.]
  The companion David S. Ware and William Parker Sessionographies, and the Susie Ibarra Discography.

• Current details search list. Info I require to complete this document. Please take a look.
• Matthew Shipp Interview by Pete Gershon, October 2, 1997.
• 2-Z liner notes by Robert Hicks.
• Third Ear Recitation liner notes by Ben Ratliff.
• Thanks to those who've helped.

• 87.11.19 / Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown: Sonic Explorations (Cadence Jazz)
  + 88.02.14
• 88.02.14 / Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown: Sonic Explorations (Cadence Jazz)
• 90.01.08 / David S. Ware: Great Bliss Volumes 1 & 2 (Silkheart)
  + 90.01.09; 90.01.10
• 90.01.09 / David S. Ware: Great Bliss Volumes 1 & 2 (Silkheart)
• 90.01.10 / David S. Ware: Great Bliss Volumes 1 & 2 (Silkheart)
• 90.01.14 / Matthew Shipp: Points (Silkheart)
  + 90.03.18
• 90.10.16 / Matthew Shipp Trio: Circular Temple
  • Various Artists: The Infinite Zero Almanac 1996, Sampler Volume IV (Infinite Zero)
  • Various Artists: Infinite Zero Sampler VI 1997 (Infinite Zero)
  • Various Artists: Infinite Zero Promotional Sampler #3 (Infinite Zero)
  • Various Artists: The Infinite Zero Almanac 1996, Volume V (Infinite Zero)
• 90.11.12 / Marc Edwards Quartet: Black Queen
• 91.12.10 / David S. Ware: Flight of I
• 91.12.11 / David S. Ware: Flight of I
• 92.05.18 / Roscoe Mitchell: This Dance is for Steve McCall
  • Roscoe Mitchell (& the Note Factory): The Jazz Masters, 100 anos de Swing (Folio Collection)
• 92.06.01 / Matthew Shipp: Why We Came Together—A Yakuza Compilation
• 92.10.14 / David S. Ware: Third Ear Recitation
• 92.10.15 / David S. Ware: Third Ear Recitation
• 93.03.26 / Matthew Shipp: Prism
• 93.05.00 / Matthew Shipp Duo with William Parker: ZO
  • Yakuza #6 Magazine & 7" EP
  • Various Artists: 213CD 1996 Part One (213CD)
• 94.05.04 / David S. Ware: Earthquation
• 94.05.05 / David S. Ware: Earthquation
• 94.09.23 / Matthew Shipp Quartet: Critical Mass
  • Various Artists: 213CD Sampler 1995 (213CD)
• 94.12.02 / David S. Ware Quartet: Cryptology
• 95.05.14 / Matthew Shipp: The Flow of X
• 95.06.14 / Matthew Shipp: Before the World
• 95.06.15 / Matthew Shipp: Before the World]
• 95.08.15 / Matthew Shipp Duo with Roscoe Mitchell: 2-Z
  • Various Artists: 213CD 1996 Part One / 213CD
• 95.09.01 / Matthew Shipp: Halana #1 (Halana Magazine)
• 95.09.27 / David S. Ware Quartet: Oblations and Blessings
• 95.09.28 / David S. Ware Quartet: Oblations and Blessings
• 95.09.29 / David S. Ware: DAO
• 95.11.22 / Matthew Shipp: Symbol Systems
• 96.01.00 / Ivo Perelman & Matthew Shipp: Bendíto of Santa Cruz
• 96.01.00 / Ivo Perelman & Matthew Shipp: Brazilian Watercolor
• 96.02.26 / Joe Morris Ensemble: Elsewhere
• 96.05.02 / David S. Ware Quartet: Godspelized
• 96.05.03 / David S. Ware Quartet: Godspelized
• 96.06.06 / Ivo Perelman: Cama de Terra
• 96.06.19 / David S. Ware Quartet: Knitting Factory What Is Jazz? Festival 1996
  • Various Artists: The Heineken Jazz Groove 1996
• 96.06.26 / Matthew Shipp: Knitting Factory What Is Jazz? Festival 1996
  • Various Artists: The Heineken Jazz Groove 1996
  • Various Artists: The Texaco New York Jazz Festival Radio Series Live at The Knitting Factory (Knitting Factory)
• 96.08.05 / Matthew Shipp String Trio: By the Law of Music
• 96.10.12 / Rob Brown Duo with Matthew Shipp: Blink of an Eye
• 96.12.02 / David S. Ware: Wisdom of Uncertainty
• 96.12.03 / David S. Ware: Wisdom of Uncertainty
• 97.01.23 / Matthew Shipp / Joe Morris: Thesis
• 97.05.00 / Roscoe Mitchell and the Note Factory: Nine To Get Ready
  • Various Artists: ECM Selected Recordings, I-VIII
  • Art Ensemble Of Chicago: Selected Recordings , Rarum VI
• 97.05.29 / Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown Duo: Vision One—Vision Festival 1997 Compiled
• 97.05.30 / David S. Ware Quartet: Vision One—Vision Festival 1997 Compiled
• 97.07.17 / Matthew Shipp: The Multiplication Table
• 97.12.02 / Other Dimensions in Music Special Quintet w/ Matthew Shipp: Time Is Of The Essence; The Essence Is Beyond Time
• 97.12.11 / David S. Ware: Go See the World
  • Various Artists: Jazziz On Disc (Jazziz Magazine)
• 97.12.12 / David S. Ware: Go See the World
• 97.12.14 / Matthew Shipp Horn Quartet: Strata
• 98.05.10 / Matthew Shipp Duo with Mat Maneri: Gravitational Systems
• 98.08.14 / Mat Maneri Trio: So What
• 98.11.13 / Steve Dalachinsky: Incomplete Directions (Knitting Factory)
• 99.01.06 / Matthew Shipp Duo with William Parker: DNA
  • Various Artists: Wish You Were Here / Love Songs for New York (Village Voice Records)
• 99.01.26 / Matthew Shipp, Rob Brown, William Parker: Magnetism
• 99.10.00 / Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] New York City
• 99.10.20 / David S. Ware Quartet: Surrendered
  • Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] New York City
• 99.10.21 / David S. Ware Quartet: Surrendered
  • Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] New York City
• 99.11.05 / Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] Strasbourg, France
• 99.11.06 / Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] Bruxelles, Belgium
• 99.11.09 / David S. Ware Quartet, un concert Live [Broadcast Video] (Circeto Film Productions)
• 99.11.09 / Documentary: David S. Ware [Broadcast Videotape] Poitiers, Paris, France
• 99.11.18 / Matthew Shipp String Trio: Expansion, Power, Release (hat HUT)
• 00.01.06 / Matthew Shipp Quartet: Pastoral Composure (Thirsty Ear)
• 00.09.14 / Matthew Shipp: Matthew Shipp's New Orbit (Thirsty Ear)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 00.09.15 / The Nommonsemble: Life Cycle (AUM Fidelity)
• 01.00.00 (1) / Various Artists: State of the Union (Electronic Music Foundation)
• 01.00.00 (2) / QPSM Unit: The Seriousness of the Matter (Quadrophonic Sound Module)
• 01.01.14 / Spring Heel Jack: The Blue Series Continuum • Masses (Thirsty Ear)
• 01.02.26 / David S. Ware Quartet: Corridors & Parallels (AUM Fidelity)
• 01.02.27 / David S. Ware Quartet: Corridors & Parallels (AUM Fidelity)
• 01.04.05 / Andrew Barker, Matthew Shipp, Charles Waters: Apostolic Polyphony (Drimala Records)
• 01.08.09 (1) / Matthew Shipp: nu bop (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 01.08.09 (2) / DJ Wally: Nothing Stays the Same (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 01.11.18 / Matthew Shipp: SONGS (Splasc(H) Records)
• 02.00.00 / Spring Heel Jack: The Blue Series Continuum • AMaSSED (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 02.02.12 / Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 02.03.06 / DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid: Optometry (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • DJ Wally: Nothing Stays the Same
• 02.06.12 / Maneri Ensemble: Going to Church (AUM Fidelity)
• 02.06.26 / Matthew Shipp: Equilibrium (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 02.07.13 / David S. Ware Quartet: Freedom Suite (AUM Fidelity)
• 02.10.01 / Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 02.11.01 / Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
  • Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 03.01.09 / Matthew Shipp: The Sorcerer Sessions (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 03.04.28 / David S. Ware String Ensemble: Threads (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 03.07.12 / Matthew Shipp Trio: STOPSMILING 16 / Mag & 7"
• 04.00.00 (1) / El-P, featuring the The Blue Series Continuum: High Water Thirsty Ear Recordings
  • El-P, featuring the The Blue Series Continuum: Sunrise Over Brooklyn (Thirsty Ear Recordings)
• 03.07.12 / Matthew Shipp Trio: STOPSMILING 16 / Mag & 7"
• 2006.01.05 / Right Hemisphere: Right Hemisphere (RogueArt)
• 2007.00.00 / Matthew Shipp Trio: Piano Vortex (Thirsty Ear)

87.11.19 • Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown: Sonic Explorations

1. Sonic Exploration Section 1 [8:04]

2. Sonic Exploration Section 2 [4:08]

3. Sonic Exploration Section 3 [6:25]

4. Sonic Exploration Section 4 [2:57]

5. Sonic Exploration Section 5 [5:13]

6. Sonic Exploration Section 6 [9:30]

88.02.14 • Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown: Sonic Explorations

7. Oleo (Sonny Rollins) [3:30]

8. Blue In Green (Bill Evans) [6:07]

9. Oleo (Sonny Rollins) take 2 [3:34]

10. Blue In Green (Bill Evans) take 2 [4:10]

90.01.08
90.01.09
90.01.10 • David S. Ware Quartet: Great Bliss Vol. 1

David S. Ware Quartet: Great Bliss Vol. 2

 Volume 1:

1. Forward Motion [12:28]

2. Angular [5:50]

3. Bliss Theme [8:50]

4. Cadenza [11:40]

5. Sound Bound [12:00]

6. Mind Time [4:00]

7. Saxelloscape One [4:00]

8. Thirds [13:50]

 

 Volume 2:

1. One Two Three [12:00]

2. Emptiness [4:00]

3. Primary Piece III [8:30]

4. Saxelloscape Two [5:00]

5. The Child Without—The Child Within [10:50]

6. Stritchland [12:15]

7. Low Strata [6:20]

8. Reign of Peace [11:00]

90.01.14 • Matthew Shipp Quartet: Points

1. Points Number Two [20:42]

2. Afro Sonic [5:37]

3. Piano Pyramid [10:05]

90.03.18 • Matthew Shipp Quartet: Points

1. Points Number One [34:24]

90.10.16 • Matthew Shipp Trio: Circular Temple

• Various Artists: The Infinite Zero Almanac 1996, Sampler Volume IV
  Infinite Zero Records Infinite Zero 9 00000-4 (CD) 1996
  [This compilation also contains performances by Gang of Four; James White & the Blacks; Alan Vega; Devo; Alan Watts; Iceberg Slim; Flipper; Mississippi Fred McDowell; and Tom Verlaine.]
  
  
• Various Artists: The Infinite Zero Almanac 1996, Volume V
  Infinite Zero Records Infinite Zero 9 000005 (CD) 1996
  [This compilation also contains performances by Gang of Four; James White; Alan Vega; Devo; Alan Watts; Iceberg Slim; Flipper; Mississippi Fred McDowell; Louise Huebner; Trouble Funk; and Tom Verlaine.]
  
  
• Various Artists: Infinite Zero Sampler VI 1997
  Infinite Zero Records [no catalogue #] (CD) 1997
  [This compilation also contains performances by Devo; Monks; Trouble Funk; James Chance; Flipper; Gang of Four; Louise Huebner; Mississippi Fred McDowell; Iceberg Slim; Alan Vega; Tom Verlaine; and Alan Watts.]
  
  
• Various Artists: Infinite Zero Promotional Sampler #3 / Promo-CD 95.ZERO.3
  Infinite Zero Records 9 00000-3 (CD) 1997
  [This compilation also contains performances by Devo; Monks; Trouble Funk; James Chance; Flipper; Gang of Four; Louise Huebner; Mississippi Fred McDowell; Iceberg Slim; Alan Vega; Tom Verlaine; and Alan Watts.]

1. Circular Temple #1 [6:26]

2. Circular Temple #2 (Monk's Nightmare) [10:00]

3. Circular Temple #3 [3:47]

4. Circular Temple #4 [25:50]

90.11.12 • Marc Edwards Quartet: Black Queen

1. Creation [10:45]

2. Bumblebees and Marigold Flowers [12:26]

3. Lite Free [10:29]

4. Black Queen [6:04]

5. Quadratic Equation

Part I: Fate vs. Destiny [3:24]

Part II: X = Unknown Quantity [4:21]

Part III: Analytical Factoring [4:41]

Part IV: Discriminant Resolution [0:29]

A New Day—A New Age [9:22]

91.12.10
91.12.11 • David S. Ware: Flight of I

1. Aquarian Sound (Ware) [7:49]

2. There Will Never Be Another You (H. Warren/M. Gordon) [9:29]

3. Sad Eyes (A. Jones) [11:10]

4. Flight of I (Ware) [8:11]

5. Yesterdays (J. Kern/O. Harbach) [6:51]

6. Infi-Rhythms # 1 (Ware) [17:43]

92.05.18 • Roscoe Mitchell & the Note Factory: This Dance is for Steve McCall

• Roscoe Mitchell (& the Note Factory): The Jazz Masters, 100 anos de Swing
  Folio Collection EF 20090 (CD) 1997 SP

1. Ericka (Joseph Jarman) [11:32]

2. Uptown Strut (Mitchell) [2:19]

3. The Rodney King Affair (Mitchell) [5:24]

4. Ah (Mitchell) [3:21]

5. Song For Gerald Oshita (Mitchell) [3:03]

6. Paintings For Phillip Wilson (Mitchell) [2:58]

7. The Far East Blues (Mitchell) [5:34]

8. Variations For String Bass And Piano (Mitchell) [6:56]

9. This Dance Is For Steve McCall (Mitchell) [9:56]

92.06.01 • Various Artists: Why We Came Together / A Yakuza Compilation

1. Sonic Host [4:55]

92.10.14
92.10.15 • David S. Ware: Third Ear Recitation

1. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma) [3:42]

2. East Broadway Rundown (Sonny Rollins) [9:39]

3. Mystic March (Ware) [5:38]

4. Angel Eyes (Matt Dennis) [7:17]

5. Third Ear Recitation (Ware) [4:41]

6. Free Flow Dialogue (Ware) [3:16]

7. Sentient Compassion (Ware) [6:45]

8. The Chase (Ware) [9:11]

9. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma) [8:56]

93.05.00 • Matthew Shipp Duo with William Parker: ZO

• Yakuza #6 {2}
  Magazine & 7" EP
• Various Artists: 213CD 1996 Part One {3}
  213CD 213PRO2 (CD) Sampler 1995

1. ZO #1 (Shipp) [10:24]

2. Summertime (Gershwin) [12:01]

3. ZO #2 (Shipp) [13:28]

4. ZO #3 (Shipp) [14:02]

93.03.26 • Matthew Shipp Trio: Prism

1. Prism I [29:55]

2. Prism II [25:40]

94.05.04
94.05.05 • David S. Ware: Earthquation

1. Canadian Sunset (Eddie Heywood and Norman Gimbel) [7:32]

2. Inverse Alchemy (Ware) [8:55]

3. Tenderly (Walter Gross andJack Lawrence) [5:35]

4. Ideational Blue (Ware) [8:26]

5. Cococana (Ware) [11:32]

6. Tenderly (Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence) [4:45]

7. Earthquation (Ware) [9:20]

94.09.23 • Matthew Shipp Quartet: Critical Mass

• Various Artists: 213CD Sampler 1995
  213CD 213CDPRO1 (CD) Sampler 1995
  [This compilation also contains performances by The Mark of Cain; Coyle & Sharp; TV Smith; Hubert Selby, Jr.; Alan Vega; Exene Cervenka; Suicide; Ian Sholes; Chris Haskett; Sky King; and The Birthday Party.]

1. Critical Mass [10:07]

2. Virgin Complex [9:10]

3. Density and Eucharist [21:43]

94.12.02 • David S. Ware Quartet: Cryptology

1. Cryptology:

 a) Solar Passage [6:42]

 b) Direction: Pleiades [9:04]

 c) Dinosauria [10:03]

 d) Cryptology / Theme Stream [14:19]

 e) Panoramic [10:45]

 f) The Liberator [10:44]

95.05.14 • Matthew Shipp: The Flow of X

1. flow of X [5:49]

2. flow of silence [6:12]

3. flow of Y [7:43]

4. flow of M [6:52]

5. flow of U [9:33]

6. instinctive codes [12:40]

95.06.14
95.06.15 • Matthew Shipp: Before the World

1. Before # 1 [32:44]

2. Before # 2 [5:42]

3. Before # 3 [3:42]

4. Before # 4 [4:09]

5. Before # 5 [22:07]

95.08.15 • Matthew Shipp Duo with Roscoe Mitchell: 2-Z

• Various Artists: 213CD 1996 Part One {2}
  213CD 213PRO2 (CD) Promo 1995

1. 2-Z [3:10]

2. 2-Z-2 [4:03]

3. 2-Z-3 [4:46]

4. 2-Z-4 [3:47]

5. 2-Z-5 [2:53]

6. 2-Z-6 [2:46]

7. 2-Z-7 [2:40]

8. 2-Z-8 [4:13]

9. 2-Z-9 [2:54]

10. 2-Z-10 [6:02]

11. 2-Z-11 [6:46] (The Physics of Angels)

95.09.01 • Various Artists: Halana #1

1. Spinal Syntax 1 and 2 [3:33]

95.09.27
95.09.28 • David S. Ware Quartet: Oblations and Blessings

1. Oblations and Blessings [17:05]

2. Riff Unknown [10:53]

3. Of Shambala [11:05]

4. Fire Within [11:07]

5. Manu's Ideal [10:13]

6. Serpents and Visions [8:37]

95.09.29 • David S. Ware: DAO

1. Interdao [6:22]

Motif Dao [9:38]

Rhythm Dao [7:00]

Tao Above Sky [7:36]

Dao Forms [18:16]

Dao Feel [8:28]

Dao [15:20]

95.11.22 • Matthew Shipp: Symbol Systems

1. Clocks [7:00]

2. Harmonic Oscillator [3:47]

3. Temperature Zone [1:52]

4. Symbol Systems [4:46]

5. The Highway [6:06]

6. Self-Regulated Motion [3:15]

7. Frame [5:11]

8. Flow of Meaning [7:11]

9. Dance of the Blue Atoms [3:23]

10. Bop Abyss [4:33]

11. Nerve Signals [3:29]

12. Algebraic Boogie [2:13]

13. The Inventor pt. 1 [4:13]

14. The Inventor pt. 2 [3:05]

96.01.00-1 • Ivo Perelman & Matthew Shipp: Bendíto of Santa Cruz

1. Bendíto of Santa Cruz—take 1 (traditional) [1:42]

2. Macumba (traditional) [9:27]

3. Anglo (Perelman) [7:22]

4. Roses (traditional) [6:41]

5. Ze Do Vale (traditional) [5:39]

6. Cego (traditional) [4:43]

7. Cana Fita (traditional) [4:17]

8. Bandeirantes (Perelman) [6:02]

9. The Lion (Perelman) [3:08]

10. Bendíto of Santa Cruz—take 2 (traditional) [1:38]

96.01.00-2 • Ivo Perelman: Brazilian Watercolour

1. Ascendent [5:27]

2. Traces [2:52]

3. Recitativo [2:20]

4. Explicativo [5:55]

5. Pal Piteira [6:36]

96.02.26 • Joe Morris Ensemble: Elsewhere

1. Plexus [8:03]

2. Elsewhere [13:58]

3. Cirrus [5:13]

4. Violet [11:37]

5. Mind's Eye [6:16]

6. Rotunda [15:02]

96.05.02
96.05.03 • David S. Ware Quartet: Godspelized

1. Godspelized (Ware) [15:44]

2. Wisdomsphere (Ware) [7:55]

3. Inner Temple (Ware) [6:40]

4. Wisdom Through Time (Ware) [7:54]

5. The Stargazers (Sun Ra) [12:26]

6. Eternal Forces of Brahm (Ware) [11:44]

7. Godspelized (Ware) [4:20]

96.06.06 • Ivo Perelman: Cama de Terra

1. Soundcheck [0:48]

2. One Converse [2:58]

3. To Another [4:38]

4. Nho Quim [8:51]

5. Spiral [5:38]

6. Adriana [3:54]

7. Groundswell Descent [4:55]

8. Dedos [3:51]

9. Elephants Have Brains [2:40]

10. Cama de Terra [9:24]

11. The Dark of the Day [6:20]

96.06.19 • Various Artists (David S. Ware Quartet): Knitting Factory What Is Jazz? Festival 1996

• Various Artists (David S. Ware Quartet): The Heineken Jazz Groove 1996
  Knitting Factory Works KFW 195-P (CD) 1996 / Liner marking; CD marking is KFW 198-P —Promo only

1. In This Love [8:14]

96.06.26 • Various Artists (Matthew Shipp Solo): Knitting Factory What Is Jazz? Festival 1996

• Various Artists (Matthew Shipp Solo): The Heineken Jazz Groove 1996
  Knitting Factory Works KFW 195-P (CD) 1996 / Liner marking; CD marking is KFW 198-P
  Promo only
• Various Artists (Matthew Shipp Solo): The Texaco New York Jazz Festival Radio Series Live at The Knitting Factory
  Show 3: Exploring the Boundaries of Free and Composition {3}
  A World of Energy [a radio sampler in paper sleeves w/ no select #] (6CD) 1998
  [Disc 3 also features Cecil Taylor solo; William Parker's In Order to Survive; Reggie Workman Ensemble; Steve Lacy; Cecil Taylor Trio; Assif Tsahar and Susie Ibarra; Marilyn Crispell & Gerry Hemingway; Charles Gayle Trio; announcement segments by Steve Dalachinsky; and a ridiculous little "Jingle" that appears twice.]
  These are all previously released tracks and excerpts done for a pre-festival radio promotion series.
  
  

1. Instinct [5:54]

2. Instinct II [5:59]

96.08.05 • Matthew Shipp String Trio: By the Law of Music

1. Signal (Shipp) [0:17]

2. By the Law of Music (Shipp) [2:51]

3. Implicit (Shipp) [6:58]

4. Fair Play (Shipp) [5:00]

5. Grid (Shipp) [6:45]

6. Whole Movement (Shipp) [3:05]

7. Game of Control (Shipp) [7:56]

8. Point to Point (Shipp) [4:21]

9. P X (Shipp) [3:28]

10. Grid (Shipp) [5:36]

11. Coo (Shipp) [5:05]

12. X Z U (Shipp) [4:81]

13. Solitude (Ellington) [4:53]

96.10.12 • Rob Brown Duo with Matthew Shipp: Blink of an Eye

1. Blink of an Eye Part 1 [28:44]

2. Blink of an Eye Part 2 [32:27]

3. Blink of an Eye Part 3 [8:44]

96.12.02
96.12.03 • David S. Ware: Wisdom of Uncertainty

1. Acclimation [12:45]

2. Antidromic [7:47]

3. Utopic [15:34]

4. Alignment [7:16]

5. Sunbows Rainsets Blue [7:41]

6. Continuum [11:34]

97.01.23 • Matthew Shipp / Joe Morris: Thesis

1. Thesis [4:08]

2. Fable [5:39]

3. Simple Relations [3:41]

4. Particle I [3:43]

5. The Wand [3:49]

6. Action and Reaction [5:22]

7. Center Of [5:33]

8. The Turnpike [5:35]

9. For Of "Y" [4:22]

10. Broader Orders [8:01]

11. Particle 2 [4:41]

12. The Middle Region [4:18]

13. Our Journey [4:35]

97.05.00 • Roscoe Mitchell and the Note Factory: Nine To Get Ready

• Various Artists: ECM Selected Recordings, I-VIII
  ECM Records Rarum Series 017753 (10CD) 2002 SWZ
• Art Ensemble Of Chicago: Selected Recordings , Rarum VI
  ECM 440014196 9 2002 (24-Bit/96khz Format CD) 2002 SWZ

1. Leola [9:35]

2. Dream And Response [5:35]

3. For Lester B [6:07]

4. Jamaican Farewell [5:45]

5. Hop Hip Bip Bir Rip [5:59]

6. Nine To Get Ready [3:52]

7. Bessie Harris [6:47]

8. Fallen Heroes [6:33]

9. Move Toward The Light [3:24]

10. Big Red Peaches [2:03]

97.05.29 • Various Artists (Matthew Shipp & Rob Brown Duo): Vision One—Vision Festival 1997 Compiled

1. Vision Statement 2 [9:25]

97.05.30 • Various Artists (David S. Ware Quartet): Vision One—Vision Festival 1997 Compiled

1. Lockup '97 [8:20]

97.07.17 • Matthew Shipp: The Multiplication Table

1. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma) [8:10]

2. The New Fact (Shipp) [4:43]

3. The "C" Jam Blues (Duke Ellington) [13:09]

4. ZT 1 (Shipp) [5:25]

5. Take the "A" Train (Billy Strayhorn) [6:56]

6. ZT 2 (Shipp) [4:26]

7. The Multiplication Table (Shipp) [13:07]

8. ZT 3 (Shipp) [4:51]

97.12.02 • Other Dimensions in Music Special Quintet w/ Matthew Shipp:
Time Is Of The Essence; The Essence Is Beyond Time

1. > [9:27]

2. > [4:25]

3. > [7:29]

4. > [3:44]

5. > [5:17]

6. > [23:32]

7. > [13:33]

97.12.11
97.12.12 • David S. Ware: Go See the World

• Various Artists: Jazziz On Disc Jazziz Magazine, JZD1098 October 1998 (Magazine & CD) 1998

1. Mikuro's Blues (Ware) [6:04]

2. Lexicon (Ware) [10:22]

3. Logistic (Ware) [9:51]

4. The Way We Were (Marvin Hamlisch, Alan & Marilyn Bergman) [14:34]

5. Quadrahex (Ware) [4:42]

6. Estheticmetric (Ware) [11:30]

7. Rapturelodic (Ware) [10:38]

97.12.14 • Matthew Shipp Horn Quartet: Strata

Strata 1 [0:47]

Strata 2 [1:23]

Strata 3 [7:45]

Strata 4 [3:18]

Strata 5 [7:05]

Strata 6 [3:33]

Strata 7 [5:36]

Strata 8 [5:30]

Strata 9 [5:43]

Strata 10 [5:20]

Strata 11 [4:18]

Strata 12 [6:41]

Strata 13 [0:59]

Strata 14 [0:50]

98.05.10 • Matthew Shipp Duo with Mat Maneri: Gravitational Systems

1. Elasticity (Shipp) [4:48]

2. Greensleeves (traditional, arrangement Shipp) [4:43]

3. Series of Planes (Shipp) [5:31]

4. Knots (Shipp) [4:41]

5. Notes (Shipp) [5:11]

6. Two Elements (Shipp) [5:33]

7. Landscape Harmony (Shipp) [8:33]

8. Forcefield (Shipp) [8:19]

9. Gravitational Systems (Shipp) [8:15]

10. Naima (John Coltrane) [3:16]

98.08.14 • Mat Maneri Trio: So What?

1. Asunta (Maneri) [8:02]

2. So What? (Miles Davis) [3:36]

3. Sunned (Maneri) [6:34]

4. Circle (Miles Davis) [7:56]

5. Three Smiles (Maneri) [7:18]

6. Cathedral (Maneri) [7:29]

7. Solar (Miles Davis) [3:35]

8. Solaris (Maneri) [10:27]

9. No Blues (Miles Davis) [8:47]

98.11.13 • Steve Dalachinsky: Incomplete Directions

1. 3 card monty (or eating the red) [1:11]

2. one thin line [1:53]

3. the conquest [3:05]

4. slim slow swimmer [2:34]

98.12.11 • David S. Ware Quartets: Live in the World

• David S. Ware Quartet [Broadcast Recording]
  Produced by RSI Radio Svizzera Internationale (Lugano) / Broadcast 98.12.28
  European Digital Radio (ADR - Astra Digital Radio)

 THI 57153.2:

1. Aquarian Sound (Ware) [31:89]

2. Logistic (Ware) [18:42]

3. The Way We Were (Hamlisch) [17:43]

4. Mikuro's Blues (Ware) [9:05]

5. Lexicon (Ware) [3:59]

6. The Stargazer (Ware) [14:36]

 

 Broadcast Recording:

1. Lexicon (Ware) [3:36]

2. Aquarian Sound (Ware) [31:25]

3. The Stargazers (Sun Ra) [14:34]

4. Mikuro's Blues (Ware) [2:53] (incomplete, includes band intro)

99.01.06 • Matthew Shipp Duo with William Parker: DNA

• Various Artists: Alternative Distribution Alliance May '99 Sampler
  Alternative Distribution Alliance ADA 20036 (Promo only CD) 1999
  [This disc also includes pieces by: Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society; Chevelle; Lorenzo Arruga, Dave Lombardo & Friends; Enuff Znuff; Whistler; The Smoke; and The Black Halos.]
• Various Artists: Wish You Were Here—Love Songs for New York
  Village Voice Records VVR 001 (CD) 2002
  [This disc also includes pieces by: Moby; Cornershop; Mekons; Joseph Arthur; Moe Tucker; Andrew W.K.; Hydraulic Funk w/ Afrikaa Bambaataa; Ari Upp; Sheila Chandra; Hakim; Gogol Bordello; Uri Caine; Loudon Wainwright III; The Du-Tels; Atmosphere; Baaba Maal; and Lenny Dee.]

1. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (traditional) [4:04]

2. Cell Sequence (Shipp) [7:03]

3. Genetic Alphabet (Shipp) [12:45]

4. DNA (Shipp) [5:26]

5. Orbit (Shipp) [4:31]

6. Mr. Chromosome (Shipp) [11:42]

7. Amazing Grace (traditional) [2:02]

99.01.26 • Matthew Shipp, Rob Brown, William Parker: Magnetism

 1. Magnetism I [0:55]

 2. Magnetism II [3:19]

 3. Magnetism III [3:48]

 4. Magnetism IV [2:28]

 5. Magnetism V [3:29]

 6. Magnetism VI [1:10]

 7. Magnetism VII [3:07]

 8. Magnetism VIII [4:11]

 9. Magnetism IX [0:28]

10. Magnetism X [3:24]

11. Magnetism XI [3:38]

12. Magnetism XII [0:43]

13. Magnetism XIII [4:08]

14. Magnetism XIV [2:18]

15. Magnetism XV [4:54]

16. Magnetism XVI [0:53]

17. Magnetism XVII [3:05]

18. Magnetism XVIII [3:42]

19. Magnetism XIX [1:41]

20. Magnetism XX [5:32]

99.03.31 • David S. Ware Quartet: Balladware

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The 30th Year
  Thirsty Ear Records (no issue # ? ) The Blue Series (CD) 2006
  [This compilation also contains tracks from William Parker Violin Trio 02.05.00; Beans; Scotty Hard 06.00.00; Sex Mob; Nils Peter Molvaer; Meat Beat Manifesto; Carl Hancock Rux; Eri Yamamoto; Craig Taborn; DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo; Groundtruther; Mike Ladd; The Yohimbe Brothers; and 30 Spokes]
• David S. Ware Quartet [Broadcast Recording]
  Broadcast 99.09.18; repeat broadcast 00.09.09; repeat abridged 06.02.03, 23:30-1:00 / "Jazz on 3," BBC Radio 3, London, England

1. Sentient Compassion (Ware) [8:25]

2. Tenderly (Walter Gross/Jack Lawrence) [9:14]

3. Angel Eyes (Matt Dennis) [15:30]

4. Yesterdays (Jerome Kern/O. Harbach) [12:23]

5. Dao Feel (Ware) [10:52]

6. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma) [7:54]

7. Godspelized (Ware) [8:30]

[72:44]

99.10.00 • Documentary: David S. Ware, un Film de Arthur Cemin et Romain Wentzo [Broadcast Video Recording]

• Rehearsals, interviews, footage of New York City [24:00] (beginning of film)

99.10.20
99.10.21 • David S. Ware: Surrendered

• Documentary: David S. Ware, un Film de Arthur Cemin et Romain Wentzo
  Television Broadcast, Circeto Film Productions, in coproduction with MCM Classique Jazz-MUZZIK (2000)
  
  2nd Session: [See 99.10.00; 99.11.05; 99.11.06; 99.11.09.]
  ["...studio recording time from the Surrendered sessions..."]

1. Peace Celestial (Ware) [8:28]

2. Sweet Georgia Bright (Charles Lloyd) [5:15]

3. Theme of Ages (Ware) [7:44]

4. Surrendered (Ware) [7:58]

5. Glorified Calypso (Ware) [6:02]

6. African Drums (Beaver Harris) [16:53]

99.11.05 • Documentary: David S. Ware, un Film de Arthur Cemin et Romain Wentzo

99.11.06 • Documentary: David S. Ware, un Film de Arthur Cemin et Romain Wentzo

99.11.09 • Muzzik Presents Jazz: David S. Ware Quartet In Concert [Broadcast Video & Radio Broadcast Recording]

• Documentary: David S. Ware, un Film de Arthur Cemin et Romain Wentzo
  Television Broadcast, Circeto Film Productions, in coproduction with MCM Classique Jazz-MUZZIK (2000)
  [This documentary contains interviews... rehearsals, footage of New York City... studio recording time from the Surrendered sessions, and tour and concert footage from London, Strasbourg, Bruxelles, and Poitiers.]
  
  5th Session: [See 99.10.00; 99.10.20-21; 99.11.05; 99.11.06.]

 Broadcast Video:

1. Aquarian Sound (Ware) [26:06]

2. Angel Eyes (Matt Dennis) [16:33]

 announcement by D.S. Ware [0:35]

3. Mikuro's Blues (Ware) [8:24]

4. encore: Manu's Ideal (Ware) [7:12]

[58:52]

99.11.18 • Matthew Shipp String Trio: Expansion, Power, Release

 1. Organs [2:22]

 2. Expansion [2:57]

 3. Waltz [3:58]

 4. Combinational Entity [2:31]

 5. Speech of Form [5:01]

 6. Environment [3:00]

 7. Weave Now a Web Rooted [5:38]

 8. Connection [2:27]

 9. Pulse Form [3:10]

10. Power [8:23]

11. Functional Form [2:58]

12. Reflex [2:21]

13. Release [8:07]

14. One More [3:11]

00.01.06 • Matthew Shipp Quartet: Pastoral Composure

1. Gesture (Shipp) [6:49]

2. Visions (Shipp) [7:56]

3. Prelude to a Kiss (Duke Ellington) [4:38]

4. Pastoral Composure (Shipp) [4:39]

5. Progression (Shipp) [5:33]

6. Frère Jacques (traditional) [5:36]

7. Merge (Shipp) [5:46]

8. Inner Order (Shipp) [3:44]

9. XTU (Shipp) [3:34]

00.09.14 • Matthew Shipp: Matthew Shipp's New Orbit

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's nu bop 01.08.09 (1); William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; Mat Maneri; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. New Orbit [2:59]

2. Paradox X [4:31]

3. Orbit 2 [3:39]

4. Chi [7:50]

5. Orbit 3 [2:23]

6. U Feature [3:56]

7. Syntax [7:16]

8. Maze Hint [1:09]

9. Paradox Y [3:54]

10. Orbit 4 [1:31]

00.09.15 • The Nommonsemble: Life Cycle

1. Wonder [5:32]

2. War [7:03]

3. Games [4:49]

4. Love [7:02]

5. Acceptance [7:55]

6. Transformation [9:20]

01.00.00 (1) • Various Artists (Matthew Shipp Solo): State of the Union

1. Notes Cry Out [1:01]

01.00.00 (2) QPSM Unit: The Seriousness of the Matter

1. Brooklyn Inferno (Masey and Ben Judah) [ : ]

2. Ode to the Supa Dupa Moms (Henry) [ : ]

3. Long Arithmatic (sic) (Shipp) [ : ]

4. Alayaza (Ben Judah) [ : ]

5. R.A.S. The Hustler of the Movement (N'Diaye and Ben Judah) [ : ]

01.01.14 • Spring Heel Jack: The Blue Series Continuum ° Masses

• Various Artists (Spring Heel Jack & The Blue Series Continuum): The WIRE 20 1982-2002: Audio Issue
  Mute Records Ltd. CD STUMM 220 (3CD Compilation Box Set) UK 2002
  [This compilation includes tracks by Steve Lacy; Ennio Morricone (with Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza); Coil; Vivian Jackson & King Tubby; Derek Bailey; Cabaret Voltaire; Tony Conrad with Faust; Fela Kuti; The Art Ensemble Of Chicago; Sonic Youth; This Heat; Sun Ra & His Solar-Myth Arkestra; Christian Marclay; John Cage; Björk; Terry Riley; Suicide; John Fahey; Diamanda Galas, and others...]
  
  

1. Chorale [9:13]

2. Masses [5:33]

3. Salt [4:45]

4. Interlude 2 [3:05]

01.02.26
01.02.27 • David S. Ware Quartet: Corridors & Parallels

 1. untitled (Ware) [1:20]

 2. Straight Track (Ware) [10:02]

 3. Jazz Fi-Sci (Ware) [4:22]

 4. Superimposed (Ware) [5:58]

 5. Sound-a-Bye (Ware) [3:08]

 6. untitled (Ware) [0:37]

 7. Corridors & Parallels (Ware / Shipp) [8:59]

 8. Somewhere (Ware) [3:11]

 9. Spaces Embraces (Ware) [3:17]

10. Mother May You Rest in Bliss (Ware) [6:07]

11. untitled (Ware) [1:48]

01.04.05 • Andrew Barker, Matthew Shipp, Charles Waters: Apostolic Polyphony

1. part-one invention [11:34]

2. two-part invention [3:56]

3. three-one invention [4:56]

4. part-two invention [3:50]

5. three-part invention [7:40]

6. three-two invention [9:05]

7. one-three invention [9:22]

8. part-four invention [10:32] Shannon Fields—remix

01.08.09 (1) • Matthew Shipp: nu bop

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's New Orbit 00.09.14; William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; Mat Maneri; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Space Shipp [3:21] {*}

2. Nu-Bop [6:07]

3. ZX-1 [4:16]

4. D's Choice [4:50]

5. X-Ray [3:27]

6. Rocket Shipp [7:35]

7. Select Mode 1 [1:23]

8. Nu Abstract [3:47]

9. Select Mode 2 [5:09]

01.08.09 (2) • DJ Wally: Nothing Stays the Same

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003
  [This compilation also contains performances by Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Thirsty Thrills [4:38]

2. Out of the Blue [4:41] {*}

3. Paint by Number [5:08]

4. Medley [4:20]

01.11.18 • Matthew Shipp: SONGS

1. We Free Kings (John Henry Hopkins, Jr.) [4:16]

2. There Will Never Be Another You (Warren and Gordon) [5:42]

3. Almighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther) [5:01]

4. Con Alma (Gillespie) [8:16]

5. Angel Eyes (Brent and Dennis) [5:35]

6. On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper and Washington) [3:53]

7. Bags' Groove (Jackson) [3:25]

8. Yesterdays (Kern and Harbach) [5:32]

9. East Broadway Rundown (Rollins) [5:17]

02.00.00 • Spring Heel Jack: The Blue Series Continuum • AMaSSED

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; DJ Spooky; Mat Maneri; Antipop Consortium; Tim Berne; and Roy Campbell.]

1. Amassed [9:13]

2. Obscured [4:45]

02.02.12 • Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's New Orbit 00.09.14; Matthew Shipp's nu bop 01.08.09 (1); William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; Mat Maneri; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]
• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come {**}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003
  [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

 1. Places I've Never Been [3:21]

 2. Staph [5:38]

 3. Slow Horn [3:10] {*} (listed as "untitled" on THI 57124.2)

 4. A Knot in Your Bop [4:03]

 5. SVP [5:19]

 6. Coda [3:24]

 7. Stream Light [3:41]

 8. Monstro City [3:06] {**}

 9. Free Hop [3:08]

10. Real is Surreal [7:14]

02.03.06 • DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid: Optometry

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's New Orbit 00.09.14; Matthew Shipp's nu bop 01.08.09 (1); William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); Mat Maneri; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]
  
• DJ Wally: Nothing Stays the Same
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (The Blue Series) THI 57140.2 (CD) 2003
  "I sent Wally UNUSED material from the nu bop 01.08.09 and Optometry 02.03.06 sessions." —FLAM 03.11.06
  (No indication what material from this DJ Spooky session may have been used. —RL)
  
• DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid: Dubtometry ( = Optometry Remixed)
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (The Blue Series Continuum) THI 57128.2 (CD) 2003
  This CD "includes a bonus video from Optometry of "Ibid, désmarches, ibid" [Remixes by Alter Echo; Mad Professor; J-Live; Karsh Kale; Colorform; Blend; I-Sound; Negativland; Animal Crackers; and a DJ Goo track titled That Subliminal Kid vs. The Last Mohican on the Blue Series Sampler below...]
  
• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come {**}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003
  [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

 1. Ibid, désmarches, ibid [5:40]

 2. Reactive Switching Strategies for the Control of Uninhabited Air [6:14] {*}

 3. Variation Cybernétique: Rhythmic Pataphysic - (Part I) featuring Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) solo violin [2:48]

 4. Asphalt (YTome II) featuring Carl Hancock Rux (vocals) and Pauline Oliveros [7:03]

 5. Optometry - featuring Billy Martin's "beats" & Daniel Bernad Roumain (DBR) solo violin [11:36]

 6. Sequentia Absentia (Dialectical Triangulation I) [7:03]

 7. Rosemary [4:10]

 8. Dementia Absentia (Dialectical Triangulation II) [3:34]

 9. Parachutes - featuring Napolean of IsWhat?! & Daniel Carter [5:26]

10. Absentia Absentia (Dialectical Triangulation III) featuring High Priest of Anti-Pop Consortium [3:51]

11. Variation Cybernétique: Rhythmic Pataphysic - (Part II) featuring Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) solo violin [2:13]

12. Périphique [9:07]

13. It's a mad, mad, mad, world [5:11]

02.06.12 • Maneri Ensemble: Going to Church

1. Blood And Body (the ensemble) [31:32]

2. Before The Sermon (the ensemble) [8:39]

3. Going To Church (the ensemble) [13:56]

02.06.26 • Matthew Shipp: Equilibrium

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Equilibrium [3:44]

2. Vamp to Vibe [5:28]

3. Nebula Theory [5:25]

4. Cohesion [6:35]

5. World of Blue Glass [5:26]

6. Portal [1:13]

7. The Root [5:03]

8. The Key [4:12]

9. Nu Matrix [4:01]

02.07.13 • David S. Ware Quartet: Freedom Suite

 Freedom Suite (Sonny Rollins)

1. I [7:05]

2. II [11:38]

3. III [8:12]

4. IV [12:30]

02.10.01 • Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's New Orbit 00.09.14; Matthew Shipp's nu bop 01.08.09 (1); William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; Mat Maneri; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]
• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

No split session info / See 02.02.12

02.11.01 • Antipop Consortium: Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp

• Various Artists: Blue Series Essentials {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (Borders Bookstores Promo Sampler) THI 57124.2 (CD) 2002
  [This compilation also contains performances by William Parker Trio; Matthew Shipp's New Orbit 00.09.14; Matthew Shipp's nu bop 01.08.09 (1); William Parker Quartet ; Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; Guillermo E. Brown; Craig Taborn; Tim Berne; Roy Campbell; and Spring Heel Jack.]
• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler / The Shape of Jazz to Come
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

No split session info / See 02.02.12

03.00.00 (1) • The Blue Series Continuum: GoodandEvil Sessions

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Brainwash [6:34]

2. Then Again [4:39]

3. The Stakeout [4:48]

4. Close Call [4:17]

5. The Hideout [4:38]

6. On the Run [4:41]

7. Roll it Back [4:03]

8. Change of Plans [5:08]

9. Sweetbitter [4:20]

03.00.00 (2) • The Free Zen Society: Free Zen Society

1. Lightly Dropping [5:13]

2. Thought Free [5:47]

3. Surrender [4:52]

4. Dream Escapes [5:12]

5. Majestical [4:05]

6. Glistening [2:47]

7. Streaming Through [6:27]

8. Clocking Space [5:38]

03.01.09 • The Blue Series Continuum featuring the Music of Matthew Shipp: The Sorcerer Sessions

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

 1. Pulsar [3:07]

 2. Keystroke [3:42]

 3. Lightforms [4:16]

 4. Urban Shadows [7:15]

 5. x6 [2:14]

 6. Fixed Point [3:32]

 7. Invisible Steps [3:44]

 8. Particle [5:24]

 9. Reformation [4:05]

10. Modulate [3:16]

11. Last Chamber [2:21]

12. Mist [5:47] {*}

03.01.25 • Spring Heel Jack with... : Live

1. Part I [35:52]

2. Part II [39:15]

03.03.19 • FREEDOM NOW! Collection: DJ Spooky & Matthew Shipp Trio

 DJ Spooky intro [0:27]

1. improvisation [52:13]

[54:39]

03.03.27 • David S. Ware Quartets: Live in the World

1. Elder's Path [25:34]

2. Unknown Mansion [13:42]

3. Sentient Compassion [9:24]

4. Co Co Cana [12:08]

5. Manu's Ideal (Bonus Track) [6:05]

03.04.19 • Shipp º Parker º Brown: The Trio Plays Ware

1. Manu's Ideal [5:31]

2. Godspelized [6:56]

3. Dinosauria I [4:49]

4. Lexicon [8:28]

5. Reign of Peace [5:09]

6. Wisdom Through TimeI [4:36]

7. Dao Forms [8:33]

8. Mystic March [7:53]

03.04.28 • David S. Ware String Ensemble: Threads

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; El-P 04.00.00 (1); Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Ananda Rotation [6:39] {*}

2. Sufic Passages [9:02]

3. Weave I [3:21]

4. THREADS [13:01]

5. Carousel of Lightness [9:02]

6. Weave II [3:41]

03.06.22 • David S. Ware Quartets: Live in the World

 Freedom Suite (Sonny Rollins)

1. I [19:13]

2. II [17:26]

3. III [11:06]

4. IV [15:01]

03.07.12 • Matthew Shipp Trio: STOPSMILING 16

 (A-Side)

1. 3 in 1 [:]

04.00.00 (1) • El-P, featuring the The Blue Series Continuum: High Water

• El-P, featuring the The Blue Series Continuum: Sunrise Over Brooklyn {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings (The Blue Series) THI 57136.1 (10" promo) 2003
• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler—The Shape of Jazz to Come {*}
  Thirsty Ear Recordings THI 57138.2 (CD) 2003 [This compilation also contains performances by DJ Wally 01.08.09 (2); Antipop Consortium 02.02.12 or 02.10.01 or 02.11.01 (Thirsty Ear is unclear and provides no split session info); DJ Spooky 02.03.06; William Parker Violin Trio ; Kidd Jordan & Fred Anderson Quartet; Matthew Shipp 02.06.26; Blue Series Continuum 03.00.00 (1); Blue Series Continuum 03.01.09; David S. Ware String Ensemble 03.04.28; Tim Berne; and Spring Heel Jack.]

1. Please Stay (Yesterday) [2:37]

2. Sunrise Over Brooklyn [10:34] *

3. Get Your Hand Off My Shoulder, Pig [6:35]

4. Get Modal [5:06]

5. Intrigue in the House of India [6:33]

6. Something is Wrong [4:09]

7. When the Moon Was Blue (featuring Harry Keys) [6:42]

8. Please Leave (Yesterday) [1:49]

04.02.20
04.02.21 (1) • Matthew Shipp: Harmony and Abyss

 1. ion [3:18]

 2. new ID [6:23]

 3. 3 in 1 [2:51]

 4. virgin complex [3:58]

 5. galaxy 105 [5:52]

 6. string theory [3:54]

 7. blood 2 the brain [6:06]

 8. invisible light [1:57]

 9. amino acid [4:05]

10. abyss [4:18]

04.04.05 • Matthew Shipp: Nu Bop Live

• Matthew Shipp Nu Bop [Broadcast Recording]
  Musica per Roma in collaborazione con Rai Radio 3

1. Nu Bop [9:22]

2. From the Otherside of Anywhere [7:40]

3. Rocket Shipp [3:35]

4. Did I Say That? [2:50]

5. Nu Abstract [25:58]

6. Virgin Complex [6:17]

 [Broadcast Recording at 61:33]

04.12.19 (1) • Declared Enemy: Salute to 100001 Stars - A Tribute to Jean Genet

1. Chicago 68 [2:41]

2. Marche Funevre [20:12]

3. Flowers [4:35]

4. Alberto's Workshop [4:13]

5. Mettray [4:24]

6. Black Panthers [3:28]

7. Abdallah [4:32]

8. Le Rouge et le Noir [12:38]

9. Larache [5:45]

06.00.00 • Scotty Hard: Scotty Hard's Radical Reconstructive Surgery

• Various Artists: The Blue Series Sampler : The 30th Year {*} Thirsty Ear Records (no issue # ? ) The Blue Series (CD) 2006
  [This compilation also contains tracks from David S. Ware Quartet 99.03.31; William Parker Violin Trio ; Beans; Sex Mob; Nils Peter Molvaer; Meat Beat Manifesto; Carl Hancock Rux; Eri Yamamoto; Craig Taborn; DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo; Groundtruther; Mike Ladd; The Yohimbe Brothers; and 30 Spokes]

1. Intro [:]

2. Chance Operation [:]

3. St. Claire's Hospital [:]

4. Joint Desease [:]

5. The Genera [:] {*}

6. Eclipse [:]

7. Cocktail [:]

8. The Peeler [:]

9. Anatomy of Melancholy [:]

10. Round Two [:]

2006.01.05 • Right Hemisphere: Right Hemisphere

 1. Right Hemisphere (collective) [3:22]

 2. You Rang (collective) [4:31 ]

 3. Bubbles (Morris, Brown, Dickey) [3:33]

 4. Ice (collective) [3:39]

 5. Hyperspace (collective) [2:12]

 6. Dice (Morris, Shipp, Dickey) [5:14]

 7. Incremental (collective) [5:45]

 8. Falling In (Morris, Brown, Dickey) [5:59]

 9. The Sweet Science (Shipp) [1:44]

10. Lava (collective) [8:41]

11. Red In Gray (collective) [9:06]

06.06.18 (3) • David S. Ware Quartet: Renunciation

• David S. Ware Quartet [Broadcast Recording]
  BBC-London "Jazz on 3" / Broadcast 06.10.13, 23:30-1:00 (Radio 3)
  (BBC gives incorrect date of 06.06.17)
  
• David S. Ware Quartet [Audience Recording]

 AUM042:

1. introductions / Ganesh Sound [8:24]

2. Renunciation Suite I [19:00]

3. Renunciation Suite II [6:47]

4. Renunciation Suite III [7:19] (Shipp / Parker Duo)

5. Mikuro's Blues [9:15]

6. Ganesh Sound (reprise) [4:30]

7. Saturnian [3:57]

 

 Broadcast Recording:

1. Ganesh Sound [8:04]

2. Renunciation Suite I [18:27]

 announcement [0:20]

3. Renunciation Suite II [6:27]

4. Renunciation Suite III [6:56] (Shipp / Parker Duo)

5. Mikuro's Blues [9:00]

[50:07]

"...the 30 x 45 musicWitness™ painting made live during the David S. Ware Quartet Renunciation session..." Jeffrey Schlanger 09.01.26

07.03.24 • David S. Ware Quartet: Live in Vilnius

 Side A:

1. Ganesh Sound (Ware) [17:25]

 Side B:

2. Theme of Ages (Ware) [15:46]

3. Mikuro's Blues (Ware) [6:15]

 Side C:

4. The Stargazers (Sun Ra) [22:15]

 Side D:

5. The Stargazers (Sun Ra) [4:45] (continued)

6. Lithuanian Whirl (Ware) [11:20]

7. Surrendered (Ware) [7:18]

Live in Vilnius LP Cover

2007.00.00 • Matthew Shipp Trio: Piano Vortex

1. Piano Vortex [10:26]

2. Key Swing [3:21]

3. The New Circumstance [9:11]

4. Nooks And Corners [4:10]

5. Sliding Through Space [8:54]

6. Quivering With Speed [6:38]

7. Slips Through The Fingers [3:17]

8. To Vitalize [7:13]

10.02.17 • Matthew Shipp & Joe Morris: Broken Partials

1. Broken Partials—One [9:00]

2. Broken Partials—Two [9:37]

3. Broken Partials—Three [9:49]

4. Broken Partials—Four [7:42]

5. Broken Partials—Five [4:43]

6. Broken Partials—Six [6:09]

7. Broken Partials—Seven [5:35]

8. Broken Partials—Eight [9:32]

11.00.00 • Matthew Shipp º William Parker º Beans º HPrizm: Knives From Heaven

 1. Terra Cotta [1:49]

 2. Half Amazed A/B [2:26]

 3. Document 6B [0:43]

 4. Rainstick Streets Aglow [2:02]

 5. This Is For My Brother The Wind [2:18]

 6. Going To Another Place [2:56]

 7. Might Be [0:39]

 8. Deadpan Stare [2:22]

 9. Rockers HiFi [1:16]

10. Ornate [2:17]

11. Non Sexorexia [2:19]

12. In This And All Worlds (Featuring Nedelka Prescod) [1:47]

13. And Then A Voice Says [1:33]

14. Alloys [2:10]

15. The Arabic Cowboy John Clint Ameer [2:14]

16. Moorish Waltz [2:24]

17. Reeds [3:25]

18. 2Piece [3:15]

19. Hammered Into Space [2:01]

20. Hidden Track [3:41]

Thanks

Assistance, Direction, and Encouragement has come from
the following gracious individuals--

• Mr. Matthew Shipp
• Igor Danilishen
• John Chacona
• Gerrit Stolte, European correspondent
• R. Lynn Rardin
• Steven Joerg of AUM Fidelity.
• Alan Schneider, of No More Records & Matthew Shipp Management.
• Mr. Henry Rollins of 2.13.61 Records, etc..
• Jim Johnson
• Jason Guthartz
• Smekjal Heinrich
• Tetsuro Kubo and his Jazz and Blues Discography Links Page.
• Pete Gershon
• Steve Smith
• David Belkin
• A long slow freight-train full of thanks to Keith Knox of Silkheart Records.
• Dan Given
• William Kenz
• Chris Rice
• Justin James Kau
• Joshua Schapiro at WKCR New York.
• Jan Ström
• George Scala
• Guy Berard
• Francesco Martinelli
• Chris DeVito
• James Lindbloom
• Siegfried Otto
• Anne Dumas
• Holger Neuhaus
• Bertrand Guggenheim CODA Magazine.
• Cadence Magazine and reviewers Andy Bartlett, Carl Baugher, Stuart Broomer, Robert Iannapollo, Chris Kelsey, David Lewis, Steven Loewy, Jon Morgan, Michael Rosenstein, Frank Rubolino, Robert Spencer, & Scott Yanow.
  The indispensable "Review of Jazz & Blues: Creative Improvised Music."
  For subscription info and much more visit the Cadence website.

Details search for the Matthew Shipp Discography:

• Shipp & Rob Brown / Sonic Explorations CJR 1037
  Live venue or studio / city & country: for Session on Feb 14
  (I have the Nov 19th info)
• Shipp Duo w/ William Parker / ZO 2.13.61 Records
  Date (None listed on disc)
• Shipp / Flow of X 2.13.61 Records
  Date ( None listed on disc)
• Shipp duo with Roscoe Mitchell / 2-Z 2.13.61 Records
  Date (None listed on disc)

Ephemera:

Gold Sparkle Band: ...Plays 2 by Shipp

1. Flow of Y

2. Flow of X

Gold Sparkle Band: DOWNsizing

Matthew Shipp Interview by Pete Gershon, October 2, 1997

2-Z

by Robert Hicks

At the center of any jazz improvisation is dialogue. In duo, that conversation between instruments, the interplay of colors and shadings, of timbre and harmonics, of rhythm and melodic statement, is brought into heightened focus.

Pianist Matthew Shipp enjoys the challenge and intimacy of duo outings. "I like to work in duo," says Shipp. "It helps me to expand what I'm doing. I can function more as a rhythmic instrument or develop more harmonically. I get to control more of the parameters of the music. There's something really great about the raw interaction between two people."

Here on 2-Z, he joins AACM saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell for a similarly structured endeavor. Mitchell too has been working on the duo front lately with trombonist George E. Lewis and pianist Borah Bergman, but with Shipp on 2-Z, Mitchell has found a good companion for their multilayered voicings.

Shipp and Mitchell are no foreigners to one another, having performed together in Mitchell's Note Factory and recorded with that ensemble on This Dance Is for Steve McCall (Black Saint), but 2-Z represents their first collaboration with Shipp as a leader. "I've always wanted to work with Roscoe," says Shipp. "I admired his work a lot while I was growing up. I talked to violinist Billy Bang one day and he gave me Roscoe's number. So I sent him some of my material and he called me up. That's when I started working with him in the Note Factory. Within his group, we would do things in duo a lot when we performed on tour. I thought he'd be a good partner for a duo recording."

Shipp and Mitchell come from different worlds, but share at times in their music an incremental, minimalist approach to phrasing. Shipp grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, starting piano at the age of five. Through foundational studios with Dennis Sandole, John Coltrane's teacher, and Robert "Boysie" Lowery, an instructor of Clifford Brown, Shipp has developed his sound over the years to embrace a set of thematic progressions that take on orchestral dimensions, psychological depth, and spiritual and rhythmic intensity.

Shipp has become a staple in New York's Downtown scene, performing regularly at the Knitting Factory and Roulette. His association with Rick Rubin and Henry Rollins has even garnered attention from a rock crowd, including critical raves in a lead review in Rolling Stone. And he's served notice in Europe too, touring with his own quartet as well as with the David S. Ware Quartet and Mitchell's Note Factory.

Mitchell's career began with the Assocation for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in Chicago, where he became grounded in his structuralist principles of composition and improvisation. Fame came through his work with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, a group that grew out of the Roscoe Mitchell Sextet in the '60s.

The Chicago-born Mitchell remembers his musical up-bringing as a community experience, where he could hear anything from Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe Williams, to R&B, gospel, jazz and 50s harmony groups on the local jukebox. While these musical styles don't surface in his own music directly, Mitchell's exposure to so many different types of music bore an openness to sound and an independence to venture on to his own musical terrain. It is that spirit of the individual which Shipp and Mitchell share as well, but they never let their own predilections overstep the need to communicate with one another on 2-Z.

"I've become more attuned to the AACM and to different methodologies through Roscoe Mitchell," says Shipp. "We're not at all alike in our group concepts, but it's interesting to see how we can converse musically from our different methodologies. That way you can grow."

The growth is evident on 2-Z, from its serene passages to its pointillistic images. An impressionistic wave of sounds can open up myriad associations for both Shipp and Mitchell. And when the moment strikes them, they can escape into a flurry of wild abandonment. There are multiple layers of space and time all tied together with a shared spirituality.

Robert Hicks, November 1995
Transcribed by Justin James Kau.

David S. Ware Quartet: Third Ear Recitation

One evening after a rehearsal in 1974, David S. Ware lay on his bed in the Canal Street apartment he was sharing with a few other musicians, and briefly heard the music of the spheres.

"It was just like somebody turned on the radio. I heard music. But it wasn't coming from anywhere; it was coming from within me. I heard spontaneous music, accompanied with color. It was multi-rhythmic, that's for sure. It wasn't like a tune where you have one melody accompanied by one rhythm; it was like all encompassing rhythms and melodies, a thousand or million of 'em going at one time. It was a very short experience, only three to five seconds at the most. Just enough to let me know that it was there."

That experience and that music was the indication of something Ware had long been interested in: the idea that music isn't created, but lives independently of us, and that we can draw from it to play it when we have the proper knowledge. "Another way to put it," he explained to me, "is that there is a universal reservoir of music; it's music that exists, somewhere in the deep regions of the universe, and I don't mean out there, I mean in here, within. Myriad creative composers over the centuries have tapped this reservoir. It's music that exists already, apart from but connected to our being. It's my understanding that all music comes from that place."

The title of this record, David's second for DIW, may need a little explanation. All that's really meant by the "third ear" is a subtle, more refined sense of hearing. When it's cultivated, one can begin to hear the "inner music" - the spiritual language of music. "The refinement of all five senses is an integral part of the spiritual path, and I'm only singling out the sense of hearing," he says. "This has to be seen in the overall context of spiritual development. When you grasp the inner meaning of music, you can hear on a level where music takes you somewhere within yourself; it puts you somewhere." (The experience above, as you've probably guessed, was "in the realm of the third ear.") A "recitation," of course, is a reading of something that already exists - whether it's tangible (on paper) or intangible (in the mind). So Ware is using his third ear to tell you what he knows.

The method of Ware's working quartet - which has changed since his previous DIW recording, Flight of i, only in that Whit Dickey has replaced Marc Edwards on drums - is nothing if not thorough. The music on this record was in preparation for five months, an unusually long time for a jazz record or any kind of record. It unfolded over a period of perhaps fifty rehearsals, gaining delicacy, momentum, and density. Density, in particular, is Ware's natural inclination: his tone is among the broadest of tenor saxophonists working today, his lines contain a great amount of notes, and he prefers a deeply enmeshed ensemble sound as well. "It's just the way that my nervous system translates to my fingers. It runs along the same course as my harmonic sense and melodic sense, but more my harmonic sense. There's no space in between the notes; it's like they melt into one another. Each note slides; it blends, it bends, for me." The final affect of these pieces is a worked-in feeling; they're gemlike, like the later Rouault paintings, where whimsical, light-handed strokes and layers of darker oils aren't at odds with one another. This music sounds like a felicitous meeting of lifelong preparation and flashed spontaneity.

Two takes of "Autumn Leaves" are included here not because of subtle differences, but because of basic ones. In the first, Matthew Shipp comps the melody at a stately pace, staying absolutely true to the textbook; he does not solo. Ware, meanwhile, is playing what he calls "state-of-the-art" tenor - the territory of highly refined sound. Notice that he's not just describing the curve of the melody in his flurries of notes; he's always playing the changes. And in this piece especially, Ware's not just playing the changes, but the overtones of the notes of the melody. In the second version, Ware opens with a solo and the band enters on a completely different tack: this time Shipp solos right after Ware's unaccompanied intro; William Parker develops a plucked solo out of a long arco passage, and then returns to bowing; and Dickey's playing is much sparser. Notice Ware's way of creating tension, especially in the out-chorus of the second version: he balances an almost ballad-style reading of the melody with a superimposition of his "dense" style. The positioning of the more reverential version first isn't necessarily "introductory" - it's just one of the thousands of ways of hearing the tune.

When most musicians want to play a Sonny Rollins "standard," they go for "St. Thomas," or "Airegin," or "Oleo" - something Rollins nailed permanently, something which will never shake off Rollins' touch. Ware, who learned circular breathing from Rollins at the age of sixteen, and upon whom Rollins probably made more of an impression than any other tenor player, went to "East Broadway Run Down," a piece that's really just a short, wriggly motif. But it's the kind of Rollins piece that direcly affected Ware's own writing. The Ware group takes it at almost twice the tempo Rollins did (on the album of the same name in 1966), and makes the motif drive like a bullet.

After the first time Ware rehearsed the composition which he was to title "Mystic March," he went home, listened back to the tape, and saw an image. "It's a group of very spiritually advanced human beings moving through space and time. They're maintaining their cadence, their march, through all that comes: wars, famines, droughts, going from one age to another, and they're maintaining their march, their flow. Whit, playing in an militaristic character as a metaphor for staying unaffected, isn't changed by Matthew's and William's stride; they're playing in a slightly different meter. They do catch him at times, but I wanted Whit to maintain the march and stay strong."

Ware loves the standard "Angel Eyes" for its melody - another predominantly minor-key melody, like "Autumn Eyes." ("The melody is always my guide," Ware instructed the band before take one. "I don't care how far out I get, if I'm not following some part of the melody, then I'm not there.") But the minor third is one of the basic ingredients of Ware's music; even when the melody is technically major, the minor concept runs through all his music, given all the harmonics and half-tones involved.

The four shorter pieces on the record were originally conceived as parts of three long suites Ware wrote for the record. Up until the time of recording, Ware rehearsed the band to play the suites in the form he composed them, but at the time of making the record, Ware reconsidered and found most of the chapters within the suites complete in themselves. "Third Ear Recitation" is structured from two lines, played by Ware, Shipp and Parker in various positions to each other. To Ware, the lines "relate like male and female"; the piece is built upon the idea of parallel universes, "realities that both sustain each other and remain distinct." "Free Flow Dialogue" is another of Ware's jolted motif pieces, and it's a good game of catch: in it you can hear how Whit Dickey is able to pick up Ware's rhythms and incorporate them into whatever pattern he's developing, and vice versa.

The devotional-sounding "Sentient Compassion," Ware explains, comes with a dedication to "a sentient being named Willie, who I'm sure will be able to find his way into another body and continue on. Sentient compassion is a must; it has to be developed in order to alleviate cruelty and thougtless acts. That won't happen if you develop a sense of compassion. You'll have that connectedness, that knowing that the same life that's in you is in every other being, so you're not going to mishandle life." Finally, "The Chase" is dedicated to Ware's friend Beaver Harris, who died in December 1991 - an excellent drummer who firmly believed that tradition could be extended in almost any direction. "Beaver considered himself to be the link between so-called 'avant-garde' drumming and the more straight-ahead styles," Ware says. "And I would have to go along with him. Because Beaver could play on what I call a horizontal plane, and he could also play free. Not that other so-called free drummers could not play horizontally; they could. But whenever Beaver did it, it seemed like he really loved it. Some cats do it, but they don't do it because they love it; they do it because they want people to know that they can play like that. 'The Chase' is a horizontal piece; the music is moving in a horizontal plane." Ware tends naturally to explain his music in metaphysical terms; another word for the "horizontal plane" is swing.

David believes it was Beaver Harris who gave him some of his most important disciplinary directives as a musician. Harris had played with Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler and Archie Shepp; through Harris' teaching in the mid-1970s, David started to become aware that the whole posture of the music changes, depending on what meter you're executing it in. To use that kind of logic is one of the cornerstones of modern saxophone playing. By talking about these things and having acts actually demonstrate them before me, Beaver really made me more aware of this."

But that music of the spheres - was it Ware's music?

"No." He repeated this, softly and unequivocally, eight times. "Like no music I've ever heard. But I'll tell you something, I'll tell you this. If you've ever checked out symphony orchestras when they tune up on television, well, to me, that is the most interesting part of the performance. That might give you an idea of it. When I'm listening to an orchestra, and they're tuning up?" He sang a note loudly as if a hundred instruments were playing it - sounding a bit like what preachers call speaking in tongues. "Oh, man! That is the most interesting part, right there!

Liner notes by Ben Ratliff
Transcribed by Justin James Kau.

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