Andrew Cyrille


Andrew Charles Cyrille is an American avant-garde jazz drummer. Throughout his career, he has performed both as a leader and a sideman in the bands of Walt Dickerson and Cecil Taylor, among others. AllMusic biographer Chris Kelsey wrote: "Few free-jazz drummers play with a tenth of Cyrille's grace and authority. His energy is unflagging, his power absolute, tempered only by an ever-present sense of propriety."
WWW andrewcyrille.com

Life and career

Cyrille was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, into a Haitian family. He began studying science at St. John's University, but was already playing jazz in the evenings and switched his studies to the Juilliard School. His first drum teachers were fellow Brooklyn-based drummers Willie Jones and Lenny McBrowne; through them, Cyrille met Max Roach. Nonetheless, Cyrille became a disciple of Philly Joe Jones.
His first professional engagement was as an accompanist of singer Nellie Lutcher, and he had an early recording session with Coleman Hawkins. Trumpeter Ted Curson introduced him to pianist Cecil Taylor when Cyrille was 18.
He joined the Cecil Taylor unit in 1965, and worked with Taylor over a period of 15 years. He later formed a musical partnership with Milford Graves, and the two recorded a drum duet album in 1974. In addition to recording as a bandleader, he has recorded and/or performed with musicians including David Murray, Irène Schweizer, Marilyn Crispell, Carla Bley, Butch Morris and Reggie Workman. Cyrille was a member of the group Trio 3, with Oliver Lake and Reggie Workman.

Discography

As leader or co-leader

What About? Dialogue of the Drums with Milford Graves Celebration - with Alphonse Cimber, Ted Daniel, Romulus Franceschini, Stafford James, Jeanne Lee, Elouise Loftin, Donald Smith, David S. WareJunction with Ted Daniel, David S. Ware, Lisle AtkinsonThe Loop Metamusicians' Stomp with Ted Daniel, David S. Ware, Nick DiGeronimoNuba with Jeanne Lee, Jimmy LyonsSpecial People with Ted Daniel, David S. Ware, Nick DiGeronimoThe Navigator with Ted Daniel, Sonelius Smith, Nick DiGeronimoAndrew Cyrille Meets Brötzmann in Berlin Something in Return with Jimmy LyonsIrène Schweizer & Andrew Cyrille Burnt Offering with Jimmy LyonsGalaxies with Vladimir TarasovMy Friend Louis with Adegoke Steve Colson, Oliver Lake, Hannibal Lokumbe, Reggie WorkmanX Man with James Newton, Anthony CoxOde to the Living Tree with Adegoke Steve Colson, Fred Hopkins, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Mor ThiamGood to Go, with a Tribute to Bu with James Newton, Lisle AtkinsonDouble Clutch with Richard TeitelbaumDuo Palindrome 2002 Vols. 1 and 2 with Anthony BraxtonLow Blue Flame with Greg OsbyOpus de Life with Paul Dunmall and Henry GrimesRoute de Frères with Haitian Fascination The Declaration of Musical Independence with Bill Frisell, Ben Street, Richard TeitelbaumProximity with Bill McHenryLebroba with Bill Frisell, Wadada Leo SmithThe News with Bill Frisell, Ben Street, David Virelles2 Blues for Cecil with William Parker and Enrico RavaEvocation with Elliott Sharp and Richard Teitelbaum

With Trio 3">Trio 3 (free jazz trio)">Trio 3

Live in Willisau Encounter Open Ideas Time Being Live at the Sunset Berne Concert with Irene Schweizer At This Time with Geri Allen Celebrating Mary Lou Williams–Live at Birdland New York with Geri Allen Refraction – Breakin' Glass with Jason Moran Wiring with Vijay Iyer

As sideman

With Muhal Richard AbramsMama and Daddy Blues Forever – recorded in 1981Rejoicing with the Light Colors in Thirty-Third – recorded in 1986The Hearinga Suite
With Ahmed Abdul-Malik
With Charles BrackeenAttainment – recorded in 1987Worshippers Come Nigh – recorded in 1987
With John CarterCastles of Ghana Dance of the Love Ghosts Fields Comin' On Shadows on a Wall
With Walt DickersonThis Is Walt Dickerson! Relativity To My Queen – recorded in 1962Jazz Impressions of Lawrence of Arabia Walt Dickerson Plays Unity Tell Us Only the Beautiful Things Peace Life Rays
With David HaneyClandestine Conspiracy A Go Go Siege of Misrata
With Leroy JenkinsThe Legend of Ai Glatson Space Minds, New Worlds, Survival of America
With Peter KowaldDuos: Europa-America-Japan one trackDuos 2: Europa-America-Japan one track
With Oliver LakeOtherside Edge-ing
With Grachan Moncur IIINew Africa Exploration
With David Murray3D Family David Murray/James Newton Quintet Shakill's Warrior Jazzosaurus Rex Acoustic Octfunk Saxmen Sacred Ground Like a Kiss that Never Ends
With Horace TapscottThe Dark Tree Aiee! The Phantom
With Cecil TaylorUnit Structures Conquistador! – recorded in 1966Student Studies – recorded in 1966The Great Concert of Cecil Taylor – live recorded in 1969. originally released as Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Vols. 1-3.Cecil Taylor Quartet in Europe Live in Stuttgart Akisakila Spring of Two Blue J's Incarnation Mixed to Unit Structures Revisited The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert
With Mal WaldronBirthday Concert: Antwerp 1997 Soul Eyes Live at North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague
With others