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Bill Dixon
Biography
One of the seminal free jazz figures, Dixon's made his mark as a player, organizer, and educator in a career that's spanned more than 40 years. Dixon is a jaggedly lyrical trumpeter -- his delivery is as vocalic as that of any free jazz trumpeter except perhaps Lester Bowie. As an improviser, he's somewhat similar in temperament to Ornette Coleman, yet his compositional style differs greatly from the altoist. Dixon's work features open space, wide intervals that do not imply a specific key or mode, and dark backdrops owing to the use of two or more double bassists. His art is eminently thoughtful even as it can be viscerally exciting.

Dixon grew up in New York City. His first studies were in painting. He didn't become a musician until he was discharged from the Navy following World War II. Dixon met Cecil Taylor in 1951 and the two began playing together, along with other like-minded young musicians. In the early '60s, he formed a quartet with saxophonist Archie Shepp. The band recorded the self-titled Archie Shepp-Bill Dixon Quartet LP for Savoy in 1962 (Dixon was briefly the artistic director in charge of jazz for the label). In 1964, Dixon organized the October Revolution in Jazz, a festival of new music held at the Cellar Cafe in Manhattan.
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