Jimmy Giuffre profile picture

Jimmy Giuffre

A tribute to Jimmy Giuffre

About Me

"Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity."

-Plato

Texte research by David Rive and illustration by Frederick

"I made this page because I think Jimmy Giuffre is among those who wrote Jazz and modern music history. Unfortunately, too many Jazz listeners have overlooked his unique musical vision. Fortunately his FANS are true and inspired! I hope to reach them all and make new ones." Frederick

(My English is so-so, sorry...)

JIMMY GIUFFRE

By David Rive

Born in 1921, Jimmy Giuffre is a musician of rare versatility and committment. A noted arranger and composer, Giuffre is also a gifted performer and fearless improviser. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played most of the saxes, the clarinet, and the flute.

Impossible to pigeonhole, Giuffre has demonstrated a unique stylistic mobility and plasticity in a career that has encompassed swing, progressive, West Coast cool, fusion and "Third Stream" music that explores the interface of the jazz and classical genres.

Giuffre's very versatility and independent spirit undoubtedtly have contributed to his marginalization from the mainstream of jazz. While a central figure in the West Coast music scene of the 1950's, he becomes less easy to "fit" into a standard stylistic and historical conception of jazz as his performance and ambitions became more inner-directed and non-conformist. From the late 50's on through the 90's, Giuffre's various trios and other ensembles explored a brand of jazz alternately more pastoral and zen-like, and free and atonal than that of any other single jazz figure of his time.

Giuffre's career has been somewhat erratic, and he recorded only sporadically in the 60's and 70's, but he enjoyed something of a personal and professional revival in the 80's and 90's--even reviving his most stylistically challenging trio with pianist Paul Bley and bassist Steve Swallow in the early 1990's. Sadly, for the last decade, the great innovator and improviser has been silenced by Parkinson's disease.

"This biographical texte has been written especially for this site by David Rive, an Artist from Louisiana and a devoted J.Giuffre listener."

See his myspace page "Maison David" in my top friends.

"Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity."

-Plato

Texte research by David Rive and illustration by Frederick

Some of his greatest recordings

1961 (2 albums: Fusion and Thesis) Verve 1961, Jimmy Giuffre (cl), Paul Bley (p), Steven Swallow (b).

Review by David (maison) Rive

"The cool, abstract and--at times--atonal music produced by Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Bley and Steve Swallow deserves more recognition. This release (ECM's first reissue)features two of the short-lived trio's Verve albums of the eponymous year, and contains what is argurably their most convincing musical statement on ensemble improvisation. The trio enjoyed a musical rapport that verged on telepathy; this is ensemble playing at its most inventive and cohesive. The percusive "thwak" of Swallow's double-bass, Bley's unfettered explorations of the sonic possibilities of the piano (he'll sometimes pluck the piano strings instead of striking the keys) and Giuffre's alternately folksy/"out there" clarinet playing combine for a sound unlike any other in jazz. This is music of pronounced form and intruiging textures, and as such, is essential listening for any jazz lover."

Free Fall, Columbia 1962, Jimmy Giuffre (cl), Paul Bley (p), Steven Swallow (b).

Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre was solidly established as the leader of unorthodox but coolly restrained groups when he enlisted pianist Paul Bley and bassist Steve Swallow in 1961. With this trio, he would take listeners into challenging terrain and offer the avant-garde a different direction--witness the 2-CD reissue 1961. Often taking its style cues from European modernism, this group mixed pointillism and atonality while moving seamlessly between composition and free improvisation. Free Fall, from 1962, was the group's ultimate recording and Giuffre's most radical statement, balancing duos and trios with unaccompanied clarinet improvisations that explored novel sounds, spontaneous structure, and uncommon brevity. Quietly revolutionary and brilliant in itself, this music was the culmination of the "Third Stream" synthesis and also paved the way for a younger generation of radicals. Today it still sounds fresh. This CD restores edited portions and adds five unissued clarinet solos that range from spiky inventions to the original lyricism of "Future Plans." -- Stuart Broomer

Emphasis and Flight 1961 Hatology (2 CD live in Germany, excelent sound recording!) Jimmy Giuffre (cl), Paul Bley (p), Steven Swallow (b).

The Easy Way, Verve 1959, Jimmy Giuffre (bs, ts,cl), Jim Hall (g), Ray Bown (b).

By Zachary L. Young (Hollywood, CA): "Giuffre has the most sensitive, lyrical style of any jazz clarinetist I've ever heard. Jim Hall and Ray Brown are wonderful as well; the three of them have such perfectly complementary styles. The recording has a very intimate feel, which really highlights the counterpoint between the instruments. This was only a few years before Giuffre's move to free jazz, and you can already hear some of the more adventurous elements that would come to characterize his playing."

SEVEN PIECES, Verve 1959 Jimmy Giuffre (cl, ts, bs), Jim Hall (g) and Red Mitchell (B).

Finally reissued on CD?! Thanks to JazzBeat Label for the nice work!

33T Vinyl Verve 2304 438 « Jimmy Giuffre wrote seven distinctly different pieces for this Verve LP, with guitarist Jim Hall and bassist Red Mitchell joining him. Giuffre switches off between clarinet, tenor sax, and baritone sax between pieces, all of which are spacious while never venturing so far out as to lose the listener's attention. "Happy Man" gives the appearance of being an upbeat blues, but Giuffre's free-ranging approach to exploring its theme extends far beyond that artificial boundary; his lyrical clarinet trades off with the soft playing of his session partners. Long out of print, any fan of Jimmy Giuffre's unique blend of cool jazz should snap up this record without hesitation the moment it is found » Ken Dryden, All Music Guide.

Travelin' Light, Atlantic 1958, Jimmy Giuffre (claninet, tenor sax and bariton sax), Jim Hall (guitar) and Bob Brookmeyer (trombone), Coming out on 27 november 2007, finaly reissued proprely on CD! Thanks!

The Jimmy Giuffre 3, Atlantic 1957, Jimmy Giuffre (bs, ts, cl), Jim Hall (g) and Ralph Pena (b).

Western Suite, Atlantic 1958, Jimmy Giuffre(bs, ts, cl), Jim Hall (g) and Bob Brookmeyer (tb).

Night Dance, Choice 1971 (original release: "Music for People, Birds, Butterflies and Mosquitos") Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet, flute, bass flute, tenor saxophone); Kiyoshi Tokunaga (bass); Randy Kaye (percussion).

Train and River, Choice 1975, Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet, flute, bass flute, tenor saxophone); Kiyoshi Tokunaga (bass); Randy Kaye (percussion). Recorded in 1972

ORIGINAL LP COVER

Tangents in Jazz, JACK SHELDON (tp), RALPH PENA (b), ARTIE ANTON (d) and J.GIUFFRE (bs, ts, cl). In 1955, Capitol. You can also find 3 great pieces of the same band on the album "Jimmy Giuffre" 1954 Capitol!

The Three, 1954 comtemporary, Jimmy Giuffre (BS, TS, CL), Shorty Rogers (TP) and Shelly Manne (D). The CD reissue includes a secound album, THE TWO, 1954, a DUO of Shelly Mann and Russ Freeman on piano.

..
Layout by:..

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/17/2007
Band Members:

JIMMY GIUFFRE CHRONOLOGY

Compiled by David Rive(Updated 06.30.07)1921 Born April 26, 1921 to a Sicilian-American family in Dallas, Texas.1930 With the encouragement of his parents, begins clarinet lessons at the age of nine. Notably, this was some years before acknowledged influence, Benny Goodman, gained national stardom.1934 At age of thirteen, performs unaccompanied clarinet solos for YMCA campfire rallies at Camp Crockett in Denton, Texas.1935 Inspired perhaps by Lester “Prez” Young, takes up the tenor sax in addition to the clarinet.1942 Earns a Bachelor of Music degree from North Texas State University. While enrolled at NTSU, rooms with jazz guitarist and future collaborator, Herb Ellis, and plays with local bands. (In Los Angeles, studies composition for eight years with composer, and Nobel-nominated scholar of Eastern mysticism, Wesley La Violette.)1944 Plays the clarinet and tenor sax in the American Air Force Band specializing in lush Andre Kostelanetz-like arrangements.1946 Following the war and military duty, resumes civilian musical career. Plays the tenor sax for a performance of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.1947 Now based in Los Angeles, plays a one-week stint as a substitute reed player in the progressive big band of Boyd Raeburn. Following the Raeburn gig, works with Jimmy Dorsey’s band for six months with whom he plays tenor and writes arrangements.1948 Works as instrumentalist and arranger with drummer Buddy Rich’s band.1949 Hired as instrumentalist and arranger by clarinetist Woody Herman for his forward-leaning “Second Herd.” Herman commissions the tune “Four Brothers,” scored for three tenors and baritone sax. The song is a hit. The Gene Roland-inspired melody and sound of the sax chorus create a sensation, and spawns other Giuffre-penned tunes like “Four Mothers” and “Four Others.”1951/1952 Founds the Lighthouse All Stars with Howard Rumsey, a seminal group in the emerging West Coast Jazz scene. Married, during this period, to wife, Marty Giuffre, who encourages him to become a more daring and interactive player. Following intermittent musical studies at UCLA, studies composition for eight years with composer, and Nobel-nominated scholar of Eastern mysticism, Wesley La Violette. Inspired by La Violette, Giuffre adopts a contrapuntal approach to jazz composition, thus freeing him from strict chord structure.1953/1955 Begins association with trumpeter Shorty Rogers and his Giants as composer, arranger and tenor sax player. Adds baritone sax to his instruments. Plays alongside other outstanding proponents of “cool jazz” like Art Pepper, Shelley Manne, Hampton Hawes, and others. With Rogers and others, performs on the soundtrack of the Brando film, “The Wild One.” Plays in various groups with trumpeter/comedian Jack Sheldon. Works with West Coast players like Buddy Collete, Jimmy Rowles, Harry Edison.1956 Riding the crest of the West Coast Jazz wave, works prolifically as a composer for other Southern California musicians, and as leader of his own small groups. Inspired by the sound textures of Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Celeste and Harp, begins the first of his chamber-trios; The Jimmy Giuffre 3, with guitarist Jim Hall (veteran of the “chamber jazz” quintet of Chico Hamilton) and bassist Ralph Pena (a fellow veteran of Rogers’ Giants, and an in-demand West Coast bass player). The group practices regularly in the leader’s garage, and establish a rare musical rapport. Like fellow L.A.-based players, Buddy Collete and Eric Dolphy, Giuffre gains reputation as a multi-instrumentalist, and is featured on the cover of the trio’s first Atlantic disc wielding the clarinet, tenor and baritone saxes.1957 Records alongside clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, accompanied by a traditional rhythm section. Meets valve-trombone player Bob Brookmeyer with whom her works for over a year with Hall in a new version of the trio. Subject of a cover story in Down Beat magazine which is the first of a three-issue profile of Giuffre and his trio. (Towards the end of the decade, devotes more time to teaching (Lenox School in Massachusetts). Writes for “Third Stream” proponent, Gunther Schuller.) Jim Atlas?1958 Works again with Jim Hall and Bob Brookmeyer.1959 Records in a trio with Jim Hall and Red Mitchell on bass. Later with Ray Brown in place of Mitchell.1960 The Giuffre trio’s performance of this composition “The Train and the River” at the Newport Jazz Festival is used behind the opening credits of Bert Stern’s concert film, “Jazz on a Summer’s Day.”1961 Marries second wife, Juanita, a painter. In Baden-Baden, records with the strings of the Sudwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Wolfram Kohrig. Forms a new trio with pianist Paul Bley, and 19-year old Steve Swallow on contra-bass. Perform and record some unconventional compositions by Bley’s then wife, and Swallow’s future wife, Carla Bley. With the new trio, and its more classical and dissonant leanings, Giuffre changes the mouthpiece on his clarinet and leaves the warmth and sweetness of the charmeleau range for a more dry and glacial sound. Intervals. “Fusion” and “Thesis” recorded for Verve. Tour Europe, no microphones used.1962 The Guiffre/Bley/Swallow trio records “Free Fall” for Columbia. Anticipating Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles, the players all grow mustaches for the album shoot. The dissonance and free playing prove too much for audiences, and the group disbands after a night when each was paid 35 cents from money collected at the door. Awarded a “coronet” by the Penguin Book of Jazz. After the breakup of the experimental trio, Giuffre severely cuts down on his performances to devote time to reflection and teaching. Continues to specialize on the clarinet, but studies flute with Jimmy Politis.1965 Performs live in Paris.1966 Composes “Hex” for orchestra, used for the ballet “Manikins”.1967 Continues composing classical academic pieces, and scores the ballet “The Castle.”1969 Performs his composition “Orb” for clarinet and classical quartet at the Whitney Museum in New York.1974 Composes a cantata for male and female choir with treble voices, “Life’s Music,” for the Church of St. Luke in New York. At this time, writes soundtracks for films “This Island, “ “Sighet-Sighet” and “Smiles.” Publishes two books on music theory. Mid-seventies, records “Quiet Song with Bley and Bill Connors. JG on flute. Electronic experimentations. Pete Levin. Forms a new trioTo be continiue...
Record Label: CapitolAtlanticVerveColumbiaChoice...
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

New York Time Orbituary

Jimmy Giuffre; New York Time obituary 4/25/08 Jimmy Giuffre, Jazz Musician, Is Dead at 86New York TimesFriday, April 25th, 2008By Ben RatliffJimmy Giuffre, the adventurous clarinetist, composer and ar...
Posted by Jimmy Giuffre on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:38:00 PST

A tribute to J.Giuffre by Canadian Robert Marcel Lepage!

Robet Marcel lepageComposer and ClarinetistAlbum title: JOUE FREE Label: Ambiances Magnétiques (Québec)Year:2000Personal:Bernard Falaise (electric guitar), Normand Guilbeault (dobble bass), Robert Mar...
Posted by Jimmy Giuffre on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:00:00 PST

Jimmy Giuffre discographie

Jimmy Giuffre 1954 Jimmy Giuffre CapitolJimmy Giuffre 1955 Tangents in Jazz CapitolJimmy Giuffre 1955 Tenors West GNPJimmy Giuffre 1956 The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet CollectablesJimmy Giuffre 19...
Posted by Jimmy Giuffre on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:43:00 PST