Azimuth (band)

Azimuth was a British jazz trio, active from 1977 through the early 2000s.[1]

Azimuth began as a duo composed of vocalist Norma Winstone and her husband, pianist John Taylor.[2] In the mid-1970s, Taylor contacted several record companies with the goal of recording a duo album, but during his appointment with ECM Records founder Manfred Eicher, the latter suggested that they form a trio with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and Azimuth was born.[2][3] The group's first release was a 1977 ECM album; two further albums quickly followed, with later albums coming in 1985 and 1995.[4][5]

Wheeler died in 2014,[6] and Taylor died the following year.[2]

Critic John Fordham wrote that the group conjured "a unique chemistry of low-key free improvisation, sometimes wordless vocals, jazz and classical music, and Taylor compositions that often sounded becalmed yet simmering with urgent implications."[2] Richard Williams of The Times described them as "one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced of all contemporary chamber jazz groups."[7]

  1. ^ Davis, John S. (2020). Historical Dictionary of Jazz. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 26.
  2. ^ a b c d Fordham, John (19 July 2015). "John Taylor Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ Speake, Martin (23 April 2016). "In Memoriam John Taylor". EthanIverson.com. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Azimuth Catalog". JazzDisco.org. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Azimuth Discography". JazzLists.com. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ Fordham, John (19 September 2014). "Kenny Wheeler Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Norma Winstone Bio". Boyne Music Festival. Retrieved 23 April 2022.