2023.09.25 Henry Threadgill on John Gilmore and Von Freeman

“Easily Slip Into Another World,” Henry Threadgill’s recent memoir, is required reading for a full appreciation of tonight’s Deep Focus.  It reveals the roots, the rich harvest, and the hidden, dark corners of a vibrant, creative life.  The prose is plainspoken and forthright but the content is absolutely mind-expanding.  No one of Threadgill’s explosively expressive generation has laid bare the inspirations for his art as Threadgill does here.  

– What was it like to talk with John Coltrane? (surprising answer!).  

– And what about Duke Ellington? (astonishing answer!).

– What experiences, musical and other, shaped you as a creative person? (kaleidoscopic answers!).

– What really happened to you guys in Viet Nam? (hideous, bewildering answers).

– How distinctive was the music scene in Chicago as you were coming up? 

This last question brings us to tonight’s Deep Focus.  Henry Threadgill joins host Mitch Goldman for an exploration of two of his great inspirations: saxophonists John Gilmore and Von Freeman.  And will the WKCR archives yield unheard wonders?  Only one way to find out!

This Monday (9/25) on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD and wkcr.org.  Next week it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/

#WKCR  #JazzAlternatives #DeepFocus #HenryThreadgill #MitchGoldman #VonFreeman #JohnGilmore #SunRa #JazzRadio #JazzInterview #JazzPodcast