JOE CHAMBERS

Candid Recording(s):

Biography:

Long time listeners of jazz will recall Joe’s work as a dummer and composer during the sixties / Blue note era. Hitting the New York scene in 1963, Chambers found himself in the company of exceptional talents as Wayne Shortyer, Sam Ribers, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Bobby Hutcherson, Eric Dolphy – who encouraged Joe to take the step to the City, and Freddie Hubbard – whose band he came a member of soon after arriving in New York.

During this period, Chambers was also expressing himself as a composer having a number of his compositions recorded on dates by Bobby Hutcherson whose band he was a member of from ’67 to ’70 and Freddie Hubbard.

On the session for Phantom of the City (Recorded Live at Birdland, New York City, March 1991) Chambers once again deftly exploits his gift as a composer and arranger avoiding long drums solos, and instead giving each musician space to express musical thoughts and feelings – on this night at Birdland it all comes together. It is an excellent example of the very special things that can happen with the right mix of talent, time, place and mood. On this live date, Joe Chambers puts it together in his usual distinct style as a percussionist, composer and arranger.