Dutch drummer Han Bennink, who turns 75 next month, has been an unrelenting creative force in jazz and improvised music since the early 60s. In 1964 he played on Eric Dolphy’s legendary final record, Last Date, and in ’67 he formed the Instant Composers Pool with pianist Misha Mengelberg (who died two weeks ago) and reedist Willem Breuker. He has an instantly recognizable sound—loud, chaotic, furiously swinging—and he’s applied it to hundreds of records. He’s all about improvisation, so leading a regular band has never been high on his list of concerns—he’s more interested in interaction and disruption. Finally, eight years ago, he decided to form a trio.
Yannis Kyriakides, Subvoice (Unsounds) Blind Willie McTell, Statesboro Blues (Bluebird/BMG Heritage) Field, Heal the Rich (Why Play Jazz) Quatuor Bozzini, Christopher Butterfield: Trip (Actuelle) Donnie Elbert, R&B Maverick (Sequel)
