Musicians - Henry Threadgill

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	Musicians - Henry Threadgill

Henry Threadgill (born February 15, 1944), Chicago, Illinois, is an American saxophonist, flautist and composer.

He performed as a percussionist in high school marching bands, and served briefly in a U.S. Army band.

Threadgill is notable as one of "modern" or "avant-garde" jazz's most unique composers. His dense, elaborate, multi-layered music is often strictly scored, in contrast to the loose, improvisatory feel of much jazz. Elements of traditional African music, Mexican music, folk music and opera are often as prominently featured as traditional jazz and blues music.

Threadgill often assembles groups with distinctive names and unusual instrumentation. His Sextett was actually a seven piece ensemble, typically consisting of Threadgill, two drummers, double bass, cello, trombone and trumpet; Threadgill variously said he considered the two drummers one unit, or that he considered himself a conductor as much as a performer. Very Very Circus consisted of Threadgill, a French hornist (or, in an earlier incarnation, a trombone player), two tubas, two electric guitars and a drummer (Gene Lake or Pheeroan Aklaff). Very Very Circus has also been augmented with other instruments, including violin, pipa, harmonium, oud, Afro-Venezuelan drummers, and vocalists.

His group Make a Move consisted of Threadgill, Brandon Ross on guitars, Tony Cedras on accordion and harmonium, Stomu Takeishi on bass, and J.T. Lewis on drums.

Threadgill has recorded or performed with Anthony Braxton, Muhal Richard Abrams, David Murray and Bill Laswell, among others. He cofounded the trio Air.

He was married to singer Cassandra Wilson.

Threadgill is a member of the AACM.

Discography (as leader)

1979: X-75 Volume 1
1982: When Was That?
1983: Just The Facts and Pass the Bucket
1984: Subject to Change
1987: You Know the Number
1988: Easily Slip into Another World
1989: Rag, Bush and All
1990: Spirit of Nuff... Nuff
1991: Live at Koncepts
1993: Song out of My Trees
1993: Too Much Sugar for a Dime
1995: Makin' a Move
1996: Where's Your Cup
2001: Everybody's Mouth's a Book
2001: Up Popped the Two Lips

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