Actions

Description

Recorded at the Donaueschingen Music Festival in 1971, Actions documents a rare collaboration between Don Cherry and Krzysztof Penderecki, performed with the New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra – a line-up that pulled in major figures from across the international jazz landscape. Across rehearsals leading up to the performance, 15 themes were circulated – all unwritten, unscored and without any predetermined sequence. Seven of those themes were then triggered live by Cherry, each shift signalled in-the-moment and recognised by the musicians as they joined in. That loose methodology – nicknamed the “Humus” concept – ensures that hesitant entries, open-ended transitions and sudden ensemble pivots are integral to the piece rather than imperfections.