Barre Phillips

An important link between the '60s American free jazz and the European free improvisation scenes, Barre Phillips was in the vanguard of double bass tonal experimentation. After learning the instrument from Frederick Zimmerman, he collaborated with many legends of both jazz and idioms beyond such as Eric Dolphy, Archie Shepp, Leonard Bernstein, and even John Lennon. His many landmark achievements include membership in Jimmy Giuffre's revolutionary drummerless trio, recording probably the first solo bass album, 1968's JOURNAL VIOLONE, and the first bass duet album (with Dave Holland), 1971's MUSIC FROM TWO BASSES. After a lauded series of solo albums on the ECM label from 1976 to 1983, Phillips spent the '90s and '00s working ever prolifically and eclectically--with noteworthy collaborations with Paul Bley, Ornette Coleman, and Incredible String Band stalwart Robin Williamson.