Considering Self-Immolation
The act of self-immolation
by Tunisian street grocer
Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi
launched revolts against dictators
and stirred the seeds of revolution
around the globe.We stand in solidarity with this
movement for dignity and salute the
courageous spirit and
self-activity it has inflamed.Our music is in a tradition of
resistance to oppression
and for the liberation of humanity.
Politics
The act of self-immolation by Tunisian vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi in December 2010 launched revolts against dictators and stirred the seeds of revolution across all humanity. Self-Immolation stands in solidarity with this new movement for dignity, and is a tribute to the courageous spirit and self-activity it has inflamed.
It would be ridiculous to literally compare the creation of music to such an act of historic martyrdom. But the conditions that led to his act, and this album, each took decades to germinate, and months to blossom. The results of these germinations burst forth before anyone really comprehends their meaning. Long-standing trends later find a more completly considered expression.
Ensemble
The sense of liberation in this music is partly expressed through the growth of the ensemble from trio to quintet.
The quintet format allows us to occupy a chordal vaccum as well as add vibrant rhythmic dialogue. The dual lead voices of saxophone and trumpet for harmony, counterpoint, a clearer deliniation between composition and improvisation, channeling more idiomatic dimensions of the Jazz tradition and making statements with exclamation points.
Our music is self-consciously in a musical and cultural tradition: the generations of resistance to Jim Crow segregation, of the triumph of people’s and musicians’ music over commerial music. In this new century, we aspire to continue that tradition aurally and socially, to advance projects of social justice and liberation begun several generations ago, recently rekindled.
Timeline
The first half of this album was recorded in September 2010, three months leading up to Mohamed Bouazizi’s act. All five songs were recently composed between Spring 2010 through the date of recording: Series of Adjustments, Cupcake Flavor Profile, Oxtail Soup, 44 Magnum and Rising, and were recorded at Hyde St. studios in San Francisco.
The next recording session was conducted in October 2011, during Occupy Wall St. and consisted of material written in an earlier decade, as well as an a fresh title track that looks backwards as well as forwards. These songs include This Unmemorable Evening, Bike Lanes, A Classic Base, Roberta, Roberta, and Self-Immolation, recorded at Flaming Hakama studios in San Francisco.
Thanks
I would like to thank musicians Andrew and Kenny for their longstanding dedication to the band, and to Henry and Grant for kicking the ensemble to a new level. Also thanks to guest artists Gabe Davis, Alicia Bell, Wendell Hanna and Jane Lenoir for their contributions. Hats off to the folks who inspired specific songs: Jasmine, Roberta, Tamsin, Nancy, Karen and Rebecca. Special thanks to Karen for copyediting and other unquantifiable contributions.