Wallace Roney Quintet – live at Pizza Express, Dean Street – London – June 10, 2001 – BBC Radio 3 –
In tribute to Wallace Roney, who fell victim to the dreaded virus just this past week at age 59. Add to the list of Heartbreaking – add to the files of “what if’s”.
Rather than focus on the tragedy, I would rather focus on the artist and his message – the artist and his gift.
Well known in the Jazz world, but not that well known outside of it. One of the true regrets of our current state of music is the lack of access to all forms and genres from which those who aren’t familiar can become familiar and possibly find influence or inspiration – it’s the universal message of music. Even though our current technology has made access as easy and all-encompassing as it ever has been, even more so – the desire to go “exploring” has become less and less. I could not tell you why – all I can do is shake my head and shrug my shoulders and mumble “you’re missing out on something”.
And you are missing out on something by not knowing about Wallace Roney, or experiencing his craft and hearing his point of view, witnessing his vision. This is the thing that makes it worthwhile. Music is, in fact, the glue that holds us all together whether we know it or not.
For those of you who know and have known about Wallace Roney, you can skip the next couple of paragraphs; it’s only preaching to the choir.
But it you aren’t familiar, read on: (this is from Wallace Roney’s website – well worth a visit and a look around).
Wallace Roney earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues and his elders since age 16. He has been an integral part of the band with Tony Williams, Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Walter Davis Jr., Herbie Hancock, Jay McShann, David Murray, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Rollins, Curtis Fuller, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few. He was one of the few musicians in his generation who learned and perfected his craft directly from alliances with Jazz Masters. But his most important and meaningful relationship was with Miles Davis.
Wallace was mentored by Miles Davis after Miles heard him in 1983 at his birthday gala performance in Carnegie Hall. Their association peaked when Miles chose Wallace to share the stage at his historic performance in Montreux in 1991. After Davis died, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams and Roney banded together and toured the world in tribute.
My goal is to make the best music I can. I enjoy, listen and can play ALL types of music I filter my expression through the jazz experience.
Hit the Play Button and listen on.