M-Base
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M-Base is built on the innovations of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, along with many other Spontaneous composers. It is also influenced by the rhythmic innovations of many of the groups led by singer James Brown, as well as having indirect roots in West African Music and West African cultural and philosophical ideas. One of its most noticeable musical traits is the innovative use of overlapping rhythmic cycles of various lengths inside of which the participants improvise, giving the music an unpredictable form. Other characteristics are curvilinear melodic elements, non-standard harmonic structures coupled with a mastery of improvisation based on these forms, resulting in a decidedly non-western cultural and philosophical bent.
Some of the main exponents of this concept in the 1980s – 1990s were saxophonist Steve Coleman (whose present style is an extension of these ideas), saxophonist Greg Osby, vocalist Cassandra Wilson, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and saxophonist Gary Thomas, who are all still active in music performing and recording. Their more recent performances, especially Coleman’s, still demonstrate a debt to M-Base. Additionally, many newer musicians in the spontaneous composition arena – along with various artists in other areas utilizing spontaneous creation in poetry, dance, and popular forms like Hip-Hop – are also heavily influenced by the M-Base conception.
External links
- What is M-Base?
- Steve Coleman, M-Base, and Music Collectivism by Vijay Iyer
- M-Base Collective
- Greg Osby Interview
