>Saw David Murray's Quartet with the late Fred Hopkins on bass at >Artpark. > I've been lucky to see David Murray in many incarnations, very often with Fred Hopkins. I was sad to see how he passed away - he seemed very young (I don't know his age, but he PLAYED young). He always seemed to have the best time on stage, kind of a lil' clown, and he and Murray (and he and Andrew Cyrille especially) were so in sync with each other. He was a real treasure and I hope he's remembered. Murray always has the best bands with him. One note about the WSQ is how when I first saw them I was expecting alot of serious pomp, but they provide some of the most patying jass shows you can see. They have a new record with African vocals which, while not as good as their best, shows that as a quartet they really stretch themselves. I feel David Murray is making some of the most important music going on today (if music can be important - he shows it). He's been experimenting the last few years with combining African heritage world music with his soulful, funky jass style and it works so damn well - not on record, alas, as much as in person. If Fo Deuk Revue comes to your town in any form, check it out. When I saw him half a year ago he had Senegal rappers, traditional Senegal pop music, Amira Buraka reading beat poetry, and, of course, the great sounds of David Murray himself. Kick ass stuff. keep dancing, -ldk
