David Axelrod (musician)

David Axelrod
Axelrod c. 1972
Axelrod c. 1972
Background information
Born(1931-04-17)April 17, 1931[1]
Los Angeles, California, US
DiedFebruary 5, 2017(2017-02-05) (aged 85)
Burbank, California, US[2]
GenresJazz,[3] jazz funk,[3] fusion,[3] funk,[3] soul[3]
Occupation(s)Producer, arranger, composer
LabelsCapitol/EMI Records
Websitewww.davidaxelrodmusic.com

David Axelrod (April 17, 1931[1][nb 1] – February 5, 2017)[2] was an American composer, arranger, and producer. After starting out as a staff producer for record companies specializing in jazz, Axelrod became known by the mid-1960s in soul and jazz circles for his recording skills. In 1968, Axelrod embarked on a solo career and released several albums during the 1970s that showcased his characteristic sound, which combined heavily microphoned drums and baroque orchestration, and avant garde themes ranging from the environment to heightened mental awareness.[3]

With his early solo projects, Axelrod was one of the first recording artists to fuse elements of jazz, rock, and R&B.[4] One of his most important records, Song of Innocence (1968), featured instrumental interpretations of 18th-century poet William Blake's poetry collection of the same name done in a contemporary musical vein,[5] leading one critic at the time to coin the term "jazz fusion" and numerous hip hop producers to sample the album's music decades later.[6]

  1. ^ a b Alapatt, Eothen (9 February 2017). "David Axelrod, 1931-2017". Rappcats.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference nytimes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bush, John. "David Axelrod - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  4. ^ George, Lynell (June 3, 2007). "Replay". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  5. ^ Sonksen, Mike (June 15, 2012). "Songs of Innocence and Experience: The Tone Poems of David Axelrod and William Blake". KCET. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  6. ^ Mudhaffer, Zaid (January 20, 2014). "Heavy Axe: A Guide to David Axelrod". Red Bull Music Academy Daily. Retrieved January 31, 2020.


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