Art Ensemble Of Chicago
Biographie Art Ensemble Of Chicago
Art Ensemble Of Chicago
The Art Ensemble of Chicago—formed in 1965 by musicians and composers Lester Bowie, Joseph Jarman, Malachi Favors Maghostut, Roscoe Mitchell, and Famoudou Don Moye—is celebrated for integrating music styles that span the history of jazz and multi-instrumental group improvisations. While the group’s membership has changed several times over the past 54 years, its focus on combining jazz, European art music, and African folk styles has been a constant. Their creative intent, expressed by the slogans “Great Black Music” and “Ancient to the Future” has also remained the same.
The Art Ensemble of Chicago is renowned for it’s integration of musical styles that span the history of jazz and multi instrumental group improvisations. Their musical universe is enhanced by the creative use of unique sounds and percussions-aka little instruments, traditional hand and stick drums, whistles, horns, bells, chimes, vibes, marimba, gongs of all sizes and an array of home made and found sound objects that serve each individual musician as an extension of their personality on their principal instruments of saxophones, flutes, trumpet and flugelhorn, double bass and drum set. Their live performances of original compositions written by all the members have also included elaborate costumes, face paint, props, theater, poetry, dance and more to create a visual, auditory and sensual spectacle.
