I have been a fan of Bill Frisell for a long time. His improvisations and compositions astonish me when they begin with complex harmonies and angular lines that gradually come into focus, culminating in a melody that I eventually recognize as a jazz standard or a piece of Americana. He channels Ives and Copland as easily as he references Charlie Parker and John Lennon, or somehow, all of the above, simultaneously. Everything he does is a ridiculously elaborate development section that gradually and meticulously reveals the exposition at the end.
My husband and I have followed his career for a very long time now, and we see him live every chance we get. We were fortunate to see him do a live collaboration with illustrator Jim Woodring. The music rises to create scenes and landscapes to breathe life into drawings that venture into the macabre.
Frisell is a very quiet, introspective genius, and I appreciate his innovative approach. I have never heard more complex chord progressions, and his genuine, introverted nature appeals to me, even as critics don't always now what to make of him.
Dr. Gilbert's film screening at Choga, with its use of original music to pair with imagery, reminded me of this Bill Frisell performance. I thought it would be fun to share this with the class.
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