Cecil Taylor

Alto Saxophonist-Composer Bobby Zankel Shines a Brilliant Light on American, Philadelphia History with "A Change of Destiny," Due September 22 from Mahakala Records

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Friday, July 28, 2023
Ring shout, Prison, Painted Bride Art Center, Rainforest, Music, Wonderful, University, Teaching, Distillation, MT, Market Street, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Mother, A Change of Destiny, Father, Human, House, Jan Vansina, Family, Billie Jean, Nightclub, Destiny

RICHMOND, Calif., July 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Philadelphia alto saxophonist and composer Bobby Zankel explores a darker side of his longtime city's history with "A Change of Destiny," set for a September 22 release on Mahakala Records. The album is a distillation of music that Zankel wrote for a dance piece, "The Spirits Break to Freedom," in the 2010s, and was recorded with Zankel's Wonderful Sound 8 (a byproduct of his Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Big Band), featuring Philadelphia jazz greats drummer Pheeroan AkLaff, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vocalist Ruth Naomi Floyd, violinist Diane Monroe, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, bassist Lee Smith, and pianist Sumi Tonooka.

Key Points: 
  • RICHMOND, Calif., July 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Philadelphia alto saxophonist and composer Bobby Zankel explores a darker side of his longtime city's history with "A Change of Destiny," set for a September 22 release on Mahakala Records.
  • The opening track "Destiny," based on a Jymie Merritt–inspired cross rhythm, asks the question "Why have we been brought here?"
  • "Spirits Break to Freedom" is an epic journey from rainforest hocket rhythms to Afrobeat groove, 21st-century urban angularity, and freedom.
  • The saxophonist became a devoted son to his adopted city, working with several generations of the finest of Philadelphia jazz musicians.