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George Cartwright

Born in the Mississippi Delta George has been performing composed and improvised musics for over 20 years. From totally improvised concepts to the relatively structured beat music of his band Curlew his experiences have been considerable. From a starting point at Karl Berger's Creative Music Studio in 1977 and a move to NYC fall of 1979 he has seen and participated in musical changes and challenges no one could foresee. And he's loved it.

Few contemporary composer/performers have had as varied and extensive experience in the changing concepts of avant music and maintained as high a quality of work. His compositions are at once direct and mysterious, possessing a clarity and focus that show both Ellington and Ornette assimilated in the the most unique of ways. With melodies wrangled to their essence, structures dense, clear and unpredictable it is a music that stands on its own.

In the summer of 2003 George received a McKnight Composer’s Fellowship.

Recent performances as band leader and composer:

Three Legged Race’s Summer Blizzard- August 7 through 11, 2003
The Walker Art Center’s New Music New Voices series- November 7, 2003

The Walker Art Center’s Choreographer’s Evening- November 29, 2003
The Cedar Cultural Center- Oct 27, 2003
George has worked with:

In Minnesota : Adam Linz, Carei Thomas, Jt Bates, Alden Ikeda, Michelle Kinney
Jacquelin Ferrier-Ultan, Anthony Cox, Michael Lewis, Dean Granros, Tim Glenn,
Davu Seru, Anne Elias, Meg Emery-Elias, Andrew Broder, Andrew Lafkis, David Means Troy Zaushny, and others.

Outside Minnesota he has performed and worked with;

Ornette Coleman, David Thomas, Chris Stamey, Myra Melford, Kip Hanrahan, Alex Chilton, Bill Laswell, Sonny Sharrock, Fred Frith, Butch Morris, Jad Fair, The Box Tops, Samm Bennett, Paul Haines, Amy Denio, Kevin Norton, Ann Rupel, Robbie McCauley, Tom Varner, Mark Dresser, Carei Thomas, Davey Williams, Chris Cochrane, Michael Lytle, and many others.

Education: Mississippi State University BA, Jackson State University, Memphis State University, The University of Southern Mississippi, The Creative Music Studio and private studies with Jimmy Guiffre, Les Scott, Byard Lancaster, Kalaparusha and Wilber Moreland.

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Liner Notes

George Cartwright: Stick Insect

Read "George Cartwright: Stick Insect" reviewed by George Cartwright


Recently, Davey Williams spoke up to me and he said: “George that's dang good band ys got there in the frozen zen like neither atmospheres three up way up there and:" It was pretty good there down in Lower Alabama. The frog of time has hopped about on my memory of the show or even when the two of us got together. Two bedroom apt, Dave was working a country band playing drums and playing the ...

918
Interview

George Cartwright: Barrier Islands Bird

Read "George Cartwright: Barrier Islands Bird" reviewed by Gordon Marshall


George Cartwright can't be forgotten. The triple sax threat is part of the archaeology of modern New York. The downtown scene, just like New Orleans or 52 Street, has its mythology, and, as much as John Zorn, Cartwright figures in that, having come to the city fresh out of The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York in the late 1970s, bringing with him his trio featuring the equally crucial percussionist David Moss and reed player Michael Lytle.

233
Album Review

George Cartwright: Send Help

Read "Send Help" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Saxophonist George Cartwright's prominence in the development of New York City's downtown scene, and lengthy affiliation with the cutting-edge progressive, jazz-rock unit Curlew, spawn an imprint of musical authenticity. Cartwright surges forward with this 2008, quartet-based effort recorded at The Cedar Cultural Center and The Walker Art Center's festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the Mississippi-born artist takes up residence these days.

Raw, wild and often captivating, the quartet also injects a prominent fun-factor into the program. At times, ...

161
Album Review

George Cartwright: Black Ants Crawling

Read "Black Ants Crawling" reviewed by Frank Rubolino


Deep, husky, sonic vapors rise from the tenor of George Cartwright as he connects with bassist Adam Linz and drummer Alden Ikeda for an extended romp into the unbridled world of free improvisation. Cartwright suggests the strange presence of warmth through his full and robust tonality; he lassoes a surging bull and purposefully proceeds to lay down an ultra-plush carpet of sound having a meaty core; yet, his fiery expulsions project the semblance of melodiousness devoid of cacophony often heard ...

299
Album Review

George Cartwright: The Memphis Years

Read "The Memphis Years" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Saxophonist/composer George Cartwright’s musical heritage or persona may represent somewhat of an anomaly. Born and reared in blues-orientated Mississippi, Cartwright went on to study with the likes of notable modern jazz icons such as, Anthony Braxton, Oliver Lake, Wadada Leo Smith and others while subsequently reeking havoc on the New York Downtown scene by forming the jazz/prog-rock/improvising band, “Curlew”. During the late 70’s, early 80’s Cartwright entrenched himself among New York City’s “downtown movement” rank and file while demonstrating his ...

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Interview

Curlew Founder/Saxophonist George Cartwright Interviewed at All About Jazz

Curlew Founder/Saxophonist George Cartwright Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman

George Cartwright can't be forgotten. The triple sax threat is part of the archaeology of modern New York. The downtown scene, just like New Orleans or 52 Street, has its mythology, and, as much as John Zorn, Cartwright figures in that, having come to the city fresh out of The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York in the late 1970s, bringing with him his trio featuring the equally crucial percussionist David Moss and reed player Michael Lytle. Curlew came ...

Ornette Coleman
saxophone, alto

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Notice That There

Mahakala Music
2022

buy

Near Copse

Hartwrong
2021

buy

Stick Insect

Mahakala Music
2021

buy

Rag

JJ-Tracks
2010

buy

Send Help

Innova Recordings
2009

buy

A Tenacious Slew

JJ-Tracks
2007

buy

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