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Michael Baird

Born Lusaka, Zambia, British nationality, resident in Holland.

From 1975-83 played and recorded with amongst others Gijs Hendriks (NL), Slide Hampton (USA), Kenny Drew (USA), Raul Burnet (CUR), Sonny Grey (USA), Siggi Kessler (D), Michel Herr (B), Michel Grailler (F), Joe Diorio (USA), Jan Akkerman (NL), Wim Overgaauw (NL), Stan Tracey (GB), Kenny Wheeler (CAN).

Founded own label SWP Records in 1986. Led own group Sharp Wood from 1986-96. Other own groups: octet Utrecht Deep Artment 1997-99, quintet CapeAbility in 2000, sextet Trendy 3D Junk in 2000-02, solo concerts Gongs And Bells in 2002-3, sextet African Abstractions in 2004-05, various other projects and composition commissions. Initiator Rhythm Orgy series in Utrecht, 2008-'11, searching for a new pan- african music. Sextet TranceMission in 2009, combining jazz, punk, africa. Octet Utrick City Impro Collective in 2011.

Also played in the André Jaume(F)/Jean-Marc Montera (F) Quintet, in the quintet Vogelvijf led by Tjitze Vogel (NL), , in the Dick de Graaf (NL)/Serge Lazarevitch (F) Quartet, and the sextet MOT led by Steven Kamperman (NL). In own groups played and recorded with amongst others: Broer van den Bogaart (NL), Hans Hasebos (NL), Albert Veenendaal (NL), Jogi Gillis (SUR), Michiel Borstlap (NL), Ben Gerritsen (NL), David Tronzo (USA), Vitold Rek (PL), Michael Moore (USA), Michel Massot (B), Marianne Pousseur (B), Michel Godard (F), Mark Lotz (D), Tjitze Vogel (NL), Paul Weiling (D), Konkie Halmeyer (CUR), Kofi Ayivor (GHA), Ousmane Seye (SEN), Jeroen van Vliet (NL), Zoumana Diarra (MALI), Rick van Heerden (SA), Kamal al Hors (MAR), Patrick Votrian USA), Abdoulaye 'Oké' Sène (SEN), Mamour Seck (SEN), Layba Diawara (GUI)

Compiled and produced 22-cd series 'Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey' of African music from the 40s and 50s, released on SWP Records. Made own field recordings in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho - also released on SWP Records.

"I see myself as a 'modernist', but all that means is that I am in a position to steal from all over the place. People ask me what kind of music I make - what can one say, other than you have to hear it. So these days I say: It's a bit jazzy, a bit African, and a bit abstract, which I mix up as I want - all ingredients which may be as old as the world, but it is still my soup!"

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65

Recording

Arend Nijenhuis & Michael Baird 'Twenty Years After'

Arend Nijenhuis & Michael Baird 'Twenty Years After'

Source: All About Jazz


In the music of this quartet the European tradition is directly united with the African roots of Jazz, missing out America as it were. (Frankfurter Rundschau 1994 about SWP 003 'Twig It' by Sharp Wood)

The percussive character of the music can be heard in the compositions, that are based on usually short, rhythmic figures and exorcistic repetitions, which subtly interlock or are pleasantly irksome. An African element, made especially audible by Baird's melodic drumming. (De Volkskrant 1995 about the Pygmees and Elephants project).

There are few contemporary productions where African polyrhythms, western composition techniques and jazzy improvisations are mixed in such a fresh and surprising way. (Jazz Nu 1997 about SWP 004 'On Remote Patrol' by Michael Baird and Friends)

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Primary Instrument

Drums

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Self-taught, except for afro-caribbean workshops by Raul Burnet and a couple of private lessons with Art Taylor. Has led workshops in Utrecht, Rotterdam, Groningen, South Africa. Now: some private pupils, teaching in home town Utrecht, rhythm workshops.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Ends And Odds

Creative Sources
2010

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Ends and Odds -...

SWP Records
2010

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On Remote Patrol

Creative Sources
1996

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