Marty Ehrlich
Marty Ehrlich is a multi-instrumentalist and is considered one of the leading proponents of the 1980's New York City "downtown" avant-garde jazz era.
Early life
Though born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the portion of Ehrlich's youth spent in St. Louis, Missouri, was particularly important. As a high school student at University [City High School (St. Louis)|University City High School] in nearby University City, the teenager came into contact with the influential Black Artists' Group which was modelled after the AACM in Chicago.Later, during formal studies at the New England Conservatory, Ehrlich developed a particularly close relationship with pianist Jaki Byard. It was here that he was most deeply schooled in traditional jazz forms, as well as Western European classical music. During these formative years, Ehrlich was exposed to the cultural, political and musical workings of radical African-American art, and was mentored by such legends as Julius Hemphill and Oliver Lake. Often associated with "Radical Jewish Culture" and cult icon John Zorn, Ehrlich has throughout the years nevertheless resisted classification under any single musical genre. He has, for instance, been a mainstay of trumpeter Randy Sandke's Inside Out ensemble, which offers a unique combination of avant-garde-associated figures and mainstreamers.
Career
Since his 1978 move to New York, Ehrlich has been a performer and leader with numerous bands of legendary repute, as well as a soloist for a number of major orchestras. But perhaps his most important recent contribution to the story of Jazz and improvised musics, The Long View, was completed at a residency in Harvard. The composition is inspired from abstract paintings by Oliver Jackson, and has been hailed as "one of a handful of integral long-form works in jazz, standing beside those of the likes of Hemphill, Mingus, and Ellington".Ehrlich currently lives in New York City, commuting to teach at Hampshire College, and devoting much energy to his duo with pianist Myra Melford, and trio with Mark Dresser and Andrew Cyrille.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
The Welcome Pliant Pliant Falling Man with Anthony Cox The Traveller's Tale – recorded in 1989- Marty Ehrlich's Dark Woods Ensemble, Emergency Peace – recorded in 1990Side by Side Can You Hear a Motion? – recorded in 1993
- Marty Ehrlich's Dark Woods Ensemble, Just Before the Dawn New York Child – recorded in 1995Light at the Crossroads with Ben Goldberg – recorded in 1996
- Marty Ehrlich's Dark Woods Ensemble, Live Wood - with Erik Friedlander, Mark Helias. recorded in 1996.
- Marty Ehrlich's Dark Woods Ensemble, Sojourn – with Erik Friedlander, Mark Helias, Marc RibotThe Waiting Game with Mike Nock
- Marty Ehrlich's Traveler's Tales, Malinke's Dance – with Tony Malaby, Jerome Harris, Bobby PreviteSong – with Uri Caine, Michael Formanek, Billy Drummond, Ray AndersonThe Long View Line on Love – with Craig Taborn, Michael Formanek, Billy DrummondNews on the Rail - recorded in 2004
- Marty Ehrlich Rites Quartet, Things Have Got to Change Fables
- Marty Ehrlich Rites Quartet, Frog Leg Logic
- Marty Ehrlich Large Ensemble, A Trumpet in the Morning - recorded in 2012
- ''Trio Exaltation''
As sideman
With Ray Anderson- Big Band Record with the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band
- Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 1 Creative Orchestra (Köln) 1978 – recorded 1978
- Piano Quartet, Yoshi's 1994 – recorded 1994
- Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 2 – recorded 1994
With Anthony ColemanLapidation
With Don GrolnickNighttown
With Julius HemphillFat Man and the Hard Blues Five Chord Stud At Dr. King's Table The Hard Blues: Live in Lisbon The Boyé Multi-National Crusade for Harmony
With Michael Gregory JacksonGifts
With Leroy JenkinsMixed Quintet Themes & Improvisations on the Blues
With John LindbergDimension 5
With Myra Melford
With Roscoe Mitchell
With Bobby PreviteWeather Clear, Track Fast
- ''Hue and Cry''
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.!