Rabble Without A Cause
Wednesday September 7th, 2011 with Bernard Stepien
Matthew Shipp - the multiplication table

Matthew Shipp is a very prolific pianist (97 CDs since 1987) both in classical music and Jazz. Thus, he engages in the classical avant-garde with equal enthusiasm as with the Jazz avant-garde. Another way to put it, he is engaged in some of the most radical projects, especially with musicians such as David S. Ware but also never forgets the roots of Jazz. The Multiplication Table is a recording from 1997, thus from the end of the last century. Shipp is often described as the pianist of the new century implying that his music also brings something new. The interesting aspect of this recording is that he tackles some well known standards such as Autumn Leaves and a couple Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn compositions. Shipp is into deconstructing rather than destroying standards. Standards have left an imprint in peoples minds that can be turned to ones advantage when reshaping them into new music.