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Ronnie Boykins: The Will Come, Is Now

By Jerry D'Souza
May 31, 2009
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Ronnie Boykins is probably best known for being a member of the

Sun Ra

piano
1914 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra Arkestra. During that time, the Arkestra made some of its best recordings and Boykins was an integral part of the equation. He integrated his relationship with Sun Ra to gear the forward movement of the music. In his individual contributions on the bass he gave the instrument an underlying voice in developing the thematic concept through his choice of notes, the use of arco and his chord patterns.

Boykins' ability saw him called up by

Marion Brown

saxophone, alto
1931 - 2010

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

Bill Barron

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Barron,

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

woodwinds
1935 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Rahsaan Roland Kirk and

Steve Lacy

saxophone, soprano
1934 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Lacy in a long list of collaborations. Challenging music was not his only forté, he moved from free invention into the mainstream with

Mary Lou Williams

piano
1910 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Mary Lou Williams and played the blues with

Muddy Waters

guitar
1915 - 1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Muddy Waters. Boykins went on to lead the Free Jazz Society and then went into the Melodic Art-Tet. In spite of all his accomplishments, Boykins was modest. When Bernard Stollman asked him to record for ESP in 1964, Boykins said that he was not ready. Eleven years later in 1975, he was.

Boykins' music is the confluence of several streams. He places as much emphasis on composition as he does on improvisation, with the title track profiling the two. Boykins sets up the groove for the Middle Eastern melody, the antithesis for horns which blow asymmetrical lines. It's a constantly shifting vortex, with Joe Ferguson indulging in the melody before the other horns come in to dissect it. The final shift comes from Boykins, whose bow arcs both melody and dissonance while the percussion dances niftily below.

"Demon's Dance" is a wild swinging tune with a generous dollop of New Orleans rhythm, quite mainstream and a delicious romp. Boykins gift for melody is apparent on all the tracks. "The Third I" loosens that grip for an open invitation to percussion and congas. The insistent rhythm is scarped by the bassist, whose arching lines cut deep into the pith. The flute flutters in but the resolution is completed by Boykins, who bares the melody and then wraps it up with the rest of his band.

Boykins made just one record as leader, but it marks his place as an adventurous bassist and a composer with a gift for style and genre.

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Track Listing

The Will Come, Is Now; Starlight At The Wonder Inn; Demon's Dance; Dawn Is Evening, Afternoon; Tipping On Heels; The Third I.

Personnel

Ronnie Boykins

bass, acoustic

Ronnie Boykins: bass and sousaphone; Joe Ferguson: soprano and tenor saxophones, flute; Monty Walters: alto and soprano saxophones; James Vass: alto and soprano saxophones, flute; Daoud Haroom: trombone; Art Lewis: percussion; George Avaloz: congas.

Album information

Title: The Will Come, Is Now | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: ESP Disk

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