Azimuth (band)
Azimuth was a British jazz trio, active from 1977 through the early 2000s.[1]
Azimuth began as a duo composed of vocalist Norma Winstone and her husband, pianist John Taylor.[2] In the mid-1970s, Taylor contacted several record companies with the goal of recording a duo album, but during his appointment with ECM Records founder Manfred Eicher, the latter suggested that they form a trio with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and Azimuth was born.[2][3] The group's first release was a 1977 ECM album; two further albums quickly followed, with later albums coming in 1985 and 1995.[4][5]
Wheeler died in 2014,[6] and Taylor died the following year.[2]
Critic John Fordham wrote that the group conjured "a unique chemistry of low-key free improvisation, sometimes wordless vocals, jazz and classical music, and Taylor compositions that often sounded becalmed yet simmering with urgent implications."[2] Richard Williams of The Times described them as "one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced of all contemporary chamber jazz groups."[7]
Discography[edit]
- Azimuth (ECM, 1977)
- The Touchstone (ECM, 1979)
- Départ (with Ralph Towner) (ECM, 1980)
(above three titles reissued as a 3 CD-set in 1994)
- Azimuth '85 (ECM, 1985)
- How It Was Then... Never Again (ECM, 1995)
In popular culture[edit]
Drake's song "IDGAF" from his 2023 album For All The Dogs samples Azimuth's song The Tunnel from their 1977 debut album Azimuth.[8][9]
References[edit]
- Citations
- ^ Davis, John S. (2020). Historical Dictionary of Jazz. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 26.
- ^ a b c d Fordham, John (19 July 2015). "John Taylor Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ Speake, Martin (23 April 2016). "In Memoriam John Taylor". EthanIverson.com. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Azimuth Catalog". JazzDisco.org. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Azimuth Discography". JazzLists.com. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ Fordham, John (19 September 2014). "Kenny Wheeler Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Norma Winstone Bio". Boyne Music Festival. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "IDGAF" at genius.com.
- ^ Rogers, Jude (14 November 2023). "Interview | 'My son was like: what?! Mum!' Norma Winstone, the British jazz singer being sampled by Drake". The Guardian.
- General references
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