Saturday, September 10, 2016

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Myra Melford

Artist:Myra Melford
Song:The Virgin Of Guadalupe
Album:Snowy Egret




Jazz pianist Myra Melford has recorded as a leader since the 90s. I would describe her style as Avant Garde. Snowy Egret is her current band's latest CD. She was born Jan. 5, 1957 in Evanston, IL. Myra was taught piano by boogie woogie ace Erwin Helfer. She got into jazz while attending Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. She was influenced by avant garde musicians like Anthony Braxton and Leroy Jenkins to explore improvisation. Then she moved to New York and studied with Henry Threadgill and Don Pullen who was probably her biggest influence. She recorded her debut as a leader in 1990 and she has been doing that ever since. Her current band Snowy Egret is an extension of her band Crush when she was living in India and studying that culture. Since 2004 Myra has been teaching at the University of California at Berkeley. The album Snowy Egret is on the German label Yellowbird. It was released last year. Bassist Stomu Takeishi has worked with Myra for several years including in Calcutta. Other musicians are Ron Miles on trumpet, Liberty Ellman on guitar and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. Myra's latest CD Dialogue is a duet album with clarinetist Ben Goldberg on his label. She has been performing with him and with Snowy Egret who will tour Germany soon. Her music is for those who like the adventurous side of jazz. Here's Myra Melford and Snowy Egret performing The Virgin Of Guadalupe at Musee du Quai Branly in Paris June 1, 2013. This video is not on Youtube.

Virgin of Guadalupe from Myra Melford on Vimeo.

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