Jimmy Lyons

Jimmy Lyons, a Free Jazz musician that reads sheet music!

Jimmy Lyons holds a unique place in the crossbridge between bebop and free jazz. As a young man he was friends with such Bebop musicians as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Elmo Hope. These early jazz associations clearly had an effect on his future playing style. Chris Kelsey suggests that Lyons' "slippery, bop-derived rhythms and melodic contours" are more reminiscent of Charlie Parker than his contemporary free jazz entourage. Lyons bridges the jazz/free jazz divide and acts as suggested by Eugene Chadbourne as a "thinking man's Charlie Parker".

Only a month ago I was in Tokyo, Japan as part of my world "Record Collecting" trip. The record stores in Tokyo were quite amazing, and I spent a good deal of money buying records there. Amongst one of my best finds was an original copy of Jimmy Lyons' debut album as a leader "Other Afternoons". It features an all-star free jazz band, that included Lester Bowie (of Art Ensemble of Chicago fame) on Trumpet, Alan Silva on Double Bass, Andrew Cyrille on Drums and Lyons leading the band on Saxophone.

BYG/Actuel was a record label that issued some of the best and most unusual/experimental jazz music in history.

The song I have used to backup my following comments, is the second on side one. It's title is "Premonitions". In the song Lyons and Bowie challenge each other, pushing the boundaries. Alan Silva is featured in an amazingly beautiful plucked bass solo by Alan Silva. There is also a short solo by Lyons playing on top of Alan Silva's bowed bass, and Andrew Cyrille's snare drumming.

Jimmy Lyons - Premonitions


The band in action

Chris Kelsey's Jimmy Lyons Biography

Eugene Chadbourne's Review of "Other Afternoons"