Musicians’ workshop led by Sonny Simmons.

 

This is a rare chance to take part in a workshop with a genuine jazz legend.

 

All instruments and levels welcome.

 

The workshop will take place at Café Oto for two hours starting at 5pm and finishing at 7pm.

Just turn up with your instrument and join in! The Café Oto’s Piano will be available for any pianists to use.

For people that want to then stay on to see the show we are offering a special £15 ticket that includes the workshop plus staying on into the evening. Tickets for the workshop alone will cost £10.

Sonny Simmons

The disciple of Charlie Parker. The heir of John Coltrane and Albert Ayler. The partner of Eric Dolphy. Sonny Simmons stands tall.

Sonny has played with many of the greats of free jazz including Don Cherry, Anthony Braxton, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Sunny Murray, Lonnie Liston Smith, Elvin Jones and many more.

Sonny made a number of striking albums in the 1960’s. Though not a die-hard avant-gardist like Ornette Coleman and Jimmy Lyons, he sticks in his own provocative way to the tradition. He was then a leading figure of the Free Jazz scene in NYC, cutting legendary records. Moving to California he became an underground hero with the likes of Bert Wilson, James Zitro, Smiley Winters and producer James Bronson Jr.

Then, there was nothing. Sonny Simmons suffered a spectacular eclipse during the 70’s and 80’s. With the West Coast no longer providing work he ended up in the streets. Playing kept him alive and he managed to maintain working groups throughout most of this “lost period” producing hours of incredible music that are still to be released.

Gradually he began to build a local reputation again. Remerging in the 90’s he has had a spectacular come back forming a string of groups with Oliver Lake, Sunny Murray, Michael Marcus, Anthony Braxton, Bobby Few and many others.

LINKS
www.sonnysimmons.org