Sam Rivers-PARAGON (1977)

Sam Rivers-PARAGON (1977)

Some data from external sources:

Sam Rivers, a widely respected jazz saxophonist and composer died Monday in Orlando, Fla. The cause of death was pneumonia; he was 88.

Born in Oklahoma, Rivers studied at the Boston Conservatory before beginning his career during the bebop era. Rivers, who played tenor and soprano saxophone, flute and bass clarinet, went on to record several free-jazz albums under his own name for Blue Note.

During the 1970s Rivers and his wife, Beatrice, opened their New York loft, Studio Rivbea, to free-jazz performances, creating one of the most vibrant spaces on the "loft jazz" scene.
(David Corio/Getty)

A review of Paragon (from 2002)

As the checks got smaller for jazz musicians, the bands did also. The fewer people to pay, the more profitable the venture. In some ways, this was a tragedy. For other musicians, men like Sam Rivers, it was an opportunity to make the music in his head. Rivers is a giant thinker. While his Blue Note recordings are certainly more accessible to the average listener, it is his remarkable trio output that is the core of his musical thought. Rivers is a player whose playing brooks no argument. There aren't many who can hang, even in a supporting role. There certainly isn't room for other soloists. This is sweeping, grand, muscular music, as regular and jagged as a seismograph, or the jittering of a lie detector. Here, he's supported by two men perfectly suited for their roles, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul. Fine musicians, here they are extensions of the music that pours from Rivers.- Rob Ferrier

I hope I will Be forgiven for not putting into my own words what this man (who was so gracious as to sign my l.p's) and his music mean to me, but I feel I am late in posting this and wish to wait no longer. Suffice to say, we have lost a master musician here. Check especially his flute playing in track 5 and hear for yourself.
Thank you, and Goodbye, Mr.Rivers.




















Sam Rivers-PARAGON (1977)
with:
Dave Holland - Bass, Cello
Barry Altschul- Drums, Percussion

Side One:
1- Ecstasy (Tenor Saxophone) 5:41
2- Bliss (Flute) 6:29
3- Rapture (Soprano Saxophone) 5:11

Side Two:
4- Tingle (Piano) 7:25
5- Paragon (All above instruments) 12:13

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