Michael Marcus Trio

Michael Marcus Trio: Ithem

by Rex Butters
June 8, 2004

A Bay Area native and veteran of Sonny Simmons and Jaki Byard, Michael Marcus recorded these trios in 1993 with bassist William Parker and the late great drummer Dennis Charles. The first three tracks were recorded live at the Old Knitting Factory and the remaining two in the studio.

The power listening trio opens with “Ithem, tk 1." After an Ornettey intro, Parker flies out the gate and never looks back. Soon Charles joins, riding the cymbal, while smacking the ...