Octagon (String Trio of New York album)
Encyclopedia
Octagon is an album by American jazz group the String Trio of New York
recorded in 1992 for the Italian Black Saint
label.
String Trio of New York
The String Trio of New York is an American jazz chamber ensemble.The group was founded in 1977 by bassist John Lindberg, violinist Billy Bang, and guitarist James Emery. Though they initially worked on improvisational playing and on their own compositions, they eventually began taking on...
recorded in 1992 for the Italian Black Saint
Black Saint/Soul Note
Black Saint and Soul Note are two affiliated Italian jazz independent record labels. Since their conception in the 1970s, they have released albums from a variety of influential jazz musicians, particularly in the genre of free jazz.-History:...
label.
Reception
The Allmusic review awarded the album 4½ stars.Track listing
- "The Pursuit of Happiness" (James EmeryJames Emery (musician)James Emery is an American jazz guitarist. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio.Emery played in the 1970s with Leroy Jenkins, Bobby Naughton and Anthony Braxton. He has been a member of the String Trio of New York, which he founded along with Billy Bang and John Lindberg, since 1977, and also played...
) - 7:05 - "One for Robin" (Marty EhrlichMarty EhrlichMarty Ehrlich is a multi-instrumentalist and is considered one of the leading figures in experimental or avant-garde jazz....
) - 5:28 - "Strings and Things" (Muhal Richard AbramsMuhal Richard AbramsMuhal Richard Abrams is an American educator, administrator, composer, arranger, clarinetist, cellist, and jazz pianist in the Free jazz medium. Abrams compresses both contemporary and traditional ideas into lean, elegant pieces.- Biography :Abrams attended DuSable High School in Chicago...
) - 7:19 - "Circular Views" (John LindbergJohn LindbergJohn Lindberg is an American jazz double-bassist.Lindberg studied at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and moved to New York City in 1977. There he played with the Human Arts Ensemble alongside Joseph Bowie and Bobo Shaw, and he was in ensembles with Anthony Braxton from 1978-1985...
) - 7:42 - "Upside the Downside" (Mark HeliasMark HeliasMark Helias is an American jazz double bass player and composer born in New Brunswick, New Jersey.He did not begin playing the double bass until the age of 20, graduating from Yale University's School of Music with a Masters degree in 1976. He has also studied at Rutgers University...
) - 13:09 - "Forever February" (Regina CarterRegina CarterRegina Carter is an American jazz violinist. She is the cousin of famous jazz saxophonist James Carter.-Early life:...
) - 7:11 - "Billie: The Queen of Holiday" (Wadada Leo SmithWadada Leo SmithIshmael Wadada Leo Smith is a trumpeter and composer working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation.-Biography:...
) - 13:06 - "A Short History of the Balkans" (Bobby PreviteBobby PreviteRobert "Bobby" Previte is a drummer, composer and bandleader. Previte earned a B.A. in Economics at the University at Buffalo, where he also studied percussion. He moved to New York City in 1979, and became active in the city's thriving jazz and experimental music scenes...
) - 8:12- Recorded at Barigozzi Studio in Milano, Italy on November 5 & 6, 1992
Personnel
- Regina CarterRegina CarterRegina Carter is an American jazz violinist. She is the cousin of famous jazz saxophonist James Carter.-Early life:...
- violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - James EmeryJames Emery (musician)James Emery is an American jazz guitarist. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio.Emery played in the 1970s with Leroy Jenkins, Bobby Naughton and Anthony Braxton. He has been a member of the String Trio of New York, which he founded along with Billy Bang and John Lindberg, since 1977, and also played...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - John LindbergJohn LindbergJohn Lindberg is an American jazz double-bassist.Lindberg studied at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and moved to New York City in 1977. There he played with the Human Arts Ensemble alongside Joseph Bowie and Bobo Shaw, and he was in ensembles with Anthony Braxton from 1978-1985...
- bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...