Rabble Without A Cause
Wednesday October 8th, 2014 with Bernard Stepien
Trumpeter Kenny Wheeler explores middle eastern music

Late Canadian trumpeter Kenny Wheeler won an international stature right from start. After doing his first recording with saxophonist Paul Gonsalves in 1968, a natural link to Duke Ellington, Wheeler quickly got spotted by prestigious recording labels such as ECM records. He recorded 27 LPs or CDs as a leader and was involved in 113 more as a side man, so to speak, because his presence, due to a distinctive sound and phrasing always put him in the forefront. Keith Jarrett, Dave Holand and many others incorporated him into their music as early as the ‘70s. Tonight, we will sample one of his lesser known recordings he did as a sideman with Lebanese lutenist (Ud) Rabi Abou Khalil (Blue Camel on Enja records). This recording illustrates his constant quest for new material or influences, in this instances modal music from the middle-east, something that already fascinated John Coltrane. Actually, Kenny wheeler expressed this even himself in one interview (see below links) while explaining his daily composing routines: “What I think I’m looking for during this time is something I’m not looking for.” In any case, Kenny Wheeler’s legacy probably follows the above sentence. Keep looking, never sink in routine… Two interesting articles on the works of Kenny Wheeler written by Jazz writer Peter Hum on the following links: http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/jazzblog/remembering-kenny-wheeler-plus-news-of-an-ecm-swan-song http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/jazzblog/how-kenny-wheeler-described-his-musical-journey-and-composing-process