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New York's 24th Annual Vision Festival

By Frank Rubolino
June 27, 2019
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Although Europe has a plethora of creative improvised music festivals throughout the year, drawing on a large audience base of appreciative fans, one festival in the USA stands out as the beacon of hope and encouragement for this music in its native land. Now in its 24th year, New York's Vision Festival, presented by Arts for Art, is a rarity on this side of the Atlantic in its scope and artistry. The superstars of the music are honored and respected for the significant contributions made over a multitude of decades, while the emerging younger generation is offered an opportunity to make its presence known. The festival is a celebration of challenging music, dance, poetry, and the visual arts, all performed by innovative artists at the peak of their creative talents.

And what a celebration this year's event was, honoring

Andrew Cyrille

drums
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Cyrille for his lifetime achievements, while also paying respect to four recently deceased giants in

Hamiet Bluiett

saxophone, baritone
1940 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Hamiet Bluiett,

Alvin Fielder

drums
b.1935

" data-original-title="" title="">Alvin Fielder,

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor, and

Joseph Jarman

saxophone
1937 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joseph Jarman—most of whom performed at many previous Vision Festivals since its start in 1996. Cyrille worked his drum magic as a soloist, in six duets, and in one trio set with luminaries associated with him over the years.

D.D. Jackson

piano
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">D.D. Jackson,

Kidd Jordan

saxophone
1935 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Kidd Jordan,

Jemeel Moondoc

saxophone, alto
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Jemeel Moondoc, and

Douglas Ewart

bassoon
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Douglas Ewart each mounted a tribute band to keep the musical accomplishments of the four departed legends ever present.

In addition, perennial favorites such as

William Parker

bass
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">William Parker,

Hamid Drake

drums
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Hamid Drake,

Jason Kao Hwang

composer / conductor
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Kao Hwang,

Whit Dickey

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Whit Dickey,

Matthew Shipp

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Shipp,

Rob Brown

saxophone, alto
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Brown,

Cooper-Moore

piano
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Cooper-Moore,

Milford Graves

drums
1940 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Milford Graves,

Wadada Leo Smith

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Wadada Leo Smith,

Steve Swell

trombone
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Swell,

Peter Brötzmann

woodwinds
1941 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Br?tzmann,

Michael Bisio

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Bisio, and many, many other well established heroes were featured, as were a host of younger enthusiasts such as

Luke Stewart

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Luke Stewart,

James Brandon Lewis

saxophone, tenor
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">James Brandon Lewis,

Ava Mendoza

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ava Mendoza,

Tomas Fujiwara

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomas Fujiwara,

Jaimie Branch

trumpet
1983 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaimie Branch,

Tomeka Reid

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomeka Reid,

Kris Davis

piano
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Kris Davis—the list goes on and on as around 150 performers took the stage. For six nights, an enthusiastic audience was treated to performance after performance. When the last of 35 offerings concluded, all in attendance at the acoustically friendly Roulette in downtown Brooklyn had fully absorbed the warmth and community spirit this festival evokes.

Executive Director Todd Nicholson and Artistic Director Patricia Nicholson Parker are to be commended for once again showcasing this vital music in its country of origin being performed by its most prestigious advocates. View Slideshow

Andrew Cyrille at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Kidd Jordan & Andrew Cyrille at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Tomeka Reid at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Wadada Leo Smith at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Peter Brotzmann at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Milford Graves at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Lisa Sokolov at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Jean Guy 'Fanfare' Rene at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Brandon Ross at 24th Annual Vision Festival

William Parker at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Joel Futterman at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Kidd Jordan at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Hamid Drake at 24th Annual Vision Festival

James Carter at 24th Annual Vision Festival

D.D. Jackson at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Ronnie Burrage at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Darius Jones at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Sara Schoenbeck at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Brandon Ross at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Mike Reed at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Douglas Ewart & Mankwe Ndosi at 24th Annual Vision Festival...

Brandon Ross at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Tom Rainey at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Sylvie Courvoisier at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Ingrid Laubrock at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Mark Feldman at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Jemeel Moondoc at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Gerald Cleaver at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Idris Ackamoor at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Jemeel Moondoc & Bobby Zankel at 24th Annual Vision...

Bobby Zankel at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Jay Rodriguez & Chad Taylor at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Nick Dunston at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Marc Ribot at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Chad Taylor at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Tomas Fujiwara at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Tomeka Reid at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Patricia Brennan at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Stephon Alexander at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Ronnie Burrage at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Melvin Gibbs at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Luke Stewart at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Michael Bisio at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Whit Dickey at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Kirk Knuffke at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Fred Lonberg-Holm at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Hamid Drake at 24th Annual Vision Festival

Matt Nelson at 24th Annual Vision Festival

View more photos

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