Tony Levin - 30.1.40 - 3/2/11

[Serial_Apologist]

This has come as quite a shock, though I knew Tony had been suffering from Lukaemia for a number of years. I saw him at a couple of London venues during the past year, and he seemed to be coping amazingly, always giving it full tilt and being the unassuming asnd friendly fellow I always found him to be offstage.

Thus marks the end of Mujician, imv one of the finest free units this country has produced, up there with Parker/Schlippenbach/Lovens- - (last chance to hear their amazing b/cast on the iplayer today, btw) - not to mention as well the workshop and possibly gig Tony had been operating for some time up in Brum.

No wonder then, the intensity (to put it mildly) in Keith's and Julie's duo gig at the Vortex last night...

Tony was a fantastic, indispensable drummer, especially at that time when those among our most talented were "going the next step" into free improv, leaving a stylistic gap - probably my favourite of all time on the British jazz scene, with a long list of recordings going back at least to '63 (with Joe Harriott), and I only just read this such sad news in the announcement to tomorrow night's Jon3 as an item to be included.

Hopefully the Powers That Beeb will find space for some kind of tribute?

S-A

[Byas'd Opinion]

Sad news.

Here's a good interview with him from last Autumn, round about the time of his 70th birthday: http://thejazzbreakfast.wordpress.co...y-levin-at-70/

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks for finding that link, Byas'd.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

AND...a key member of Tubby Hayes' finest quartet (Mexican Green, For Members Only etc.). I last saw him at the Bath Festival c. 1988 playing a "free" set (as in jazz) that cleared most of the room by the interval. GREAT STUFF.

He'll be much missed. That generation always had their ears open.

BN.