Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

August 25, 1947 in Bristol, Avon, England

Death

:

June 14, 2020

 

Keith Tippett was born on August 25, 1947, in Bristol, England. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the piano and his mother singing in a choir. Tippett began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended Bristol Grammar School, where he studied music and played in the school orchestra. After finishing school, Tippett attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied piano and composition. He was influenced by the avant-garde music of the time, including the works of John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Tippett also became interested in jazz and began playing in local clubs. In the late 1960s, Tippett became involved in the British free jazz scene. He played with a number of musicians, including saxophonist Elton Dean and drummer Robert Wyatt. In 1969, Tippett formed his own band, the Keith Tippett Group, which included Dean, Wyatt, and bassist Roy Babbington. The group's music was a blend of free jazz, rock, and classical music, and they became known for their improvisational style. Tippett's first major composition was "Septober Energy," a large-scale work for jazz orchestra and choir. The piece was recorded in 1971 and featured a number of prominent British jazz musicians, including saxophonist Gary Windo and trumpeter Mark Charig. "Septober Energy" was well-received and helped establish Tippett as a composer of note. In the 1970s, Tippett continued to explore new musical territory. He formed a new band, Ovary Lodge, which included saxophonist Julie Tippetts (whom he later married) and guitarist Fred Frith. The group's music was more experimental than the Keith Tippett Group, incorporating elements of free improvisation, rock, and electronic music. Tippett also began composing for larger ensembles, including orchestras and choirs. His works from this period include "The Unlonely Raindancer," a piece for orchestra and choir, and "Dedicated to You, But You Weren't Listening," a suite for jazz orchestra. In the 1980s, Tippett continued to push the boundaries of music. He formed a new band, Mujician, which included saxophonist Paul Dunmall, bassist Paul Rogers, and drummer Tony Levin. The group's music was more free-form than Tippett's previous bands, with a focus on improvisation and experimentation. Tippett also began collaborating with other musicians, including German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and American pianist Cecil Taylor. These collaborations resulted in some of Tippett's most adventurous and challenging music. In the 1990s, Tippett's music became more introspective and reflective. He formed a new band, the Tapestry Orchestra, which included a number of prominent British jazz musicians, including saxophonist Andy Sheppard and trumpeter Henry Lowther. The group's music was more melodic and lyrical than Tippett's previous work, with a focus on composition rather than improvisation. Tippett continued to compose and perform throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He collaborated with a number of musicians, including saxophonist Evan Parker and drummer Tony Levin. He also continued to explore new musical territory, incorporating elements of world music and electronica into his work. Tippett's music has been praised for its originality, creativity, and adventurousness. He has been a major figure in the British jazz scene for over five decades and has influenced generations of musicians.

More....