The Whitney Museum of American Art,, in collaboration with ISSUE Project Room, is proud to present the opening night of Cecil Taylor's retrospective and festival. Renowned musician Cecil Taylor is joined by two longstanding collaborators, Tony Oxley and Min Tanaka, for a historic trio concert that unites improvisatory jazz with extemporaneous movement.
More information is available here.
Organized by Lawrence Kumpf.
Tony Oxley is a celebrated drummer and pioneer of British free-jazz. He first performed with Cecil Taylor in 1988 as a duet, recording “Leaf Palm Hand” for the German label FMP, before appearing on several albums as the Feel Trio (1989–1990) with Taylor and bassist William Parker. Taylor and Oxley have since collaborated on several live improvisation albums including Cecil Taylor/Bill Dixon/Tony Oxley (Les Disques Victo, 2002) and the double LP Ailanthus/Altissima (Triple Point Records, 2008).
Min Tanaka is a renowned Japanese dancer and choreographer whose unique style incorporates a variety of movement techniques and draws consistent inspiration from changes in the natural world. Taylor’s relationship with Tanaka is one of mutual admiration and influence. After performing together across Japan in the late 1980s, they collaborated on a site-specific performance on Mercer Street for the Guggenheim Museum (1994) and more recently performed together at a ceremony recognizing Taylor’s receipt of the 2013 Kyoto Prize.
Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are required ($50 adults; $45 members). Please note: This event has reached ticketing capacity. A limited number of standby tickets may be available at the admissions desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The standby line will open one hour prior to the program’s start time.
