Derek Bailey

Derek Bailey (born January 29, 1930) is a free improvising avant garde guitarist.

Career summary

Bailey was born in Sheffield, England. He played the guitar from an early age, studying with John Duarte among others. He found work as a guitarist in clubs, radio, dance halls, and so on. He began to play in a trio in Sheffield with Tony Oxley and Gavin Bryars called Joseph Holbrooke. Although originally performing relatively traditional jazz this group became increasingly free in direction.

Related Topics:
Sheffield - England - John Duarte - Dance hall - Tony Oxley - Gavin Bryars - Joseph Holbrooke - Jazz

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In 1966, Bailey moved to London where he met many like-minded musicians, including Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler, John Stevens, Barry Guy and Dave Holland, occasionally collaborating under the umbrella name of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble (or the SME as they tended to be known).

Related Topics:
1966 - London - Evan Parker - Kenny Wheeler - John Stevens - Barry Guy - Dave Holland - Spontaneous Music Ensemble

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In 1970, Bailey founded the record label Incus with Tony Oxley and Evan Parker, often said to be the first independent label owned by musicians.

Related Topics:
1970 - Incus - Tony Oxley - Independent label

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In 1976, Bailey formed Company, an ever changing collection of like-minded improvisors, which has at various times included Anthony Braxton, Tristan Honsinger, Misha Mengelberg, Lol Coxhill, Fred Frith, Steve Beresford, Steve Lacy, Johnny Dyani, Leo Smith, Han Bennink and many others. In 1980, he wrote the book Improvisation: Its Nature and Practice. This was adapted by UK's Channel Four into a four part TV series in the early nineties, edited and narrated by Bailey.

Related Topics:
1976 - Anthony Braxton - Tristan Honsinger - Misha Mengelberg - Lol Coxhill - Fred Frith - Steve Beresford - Steve Lacy - Johnny Dyani - Leo Smith - Han Bennink - Channel Four

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