Eddie Prévost
Eddie Prévost, born in London in 1942, began in music as a jazz drummer, and a recurring interest in that form has stayed with him, always with an experimental ethos. In 1965 he co-founded AMM, the group that invented a wholly non-idiomatic improvisation from scratch, with Keith Rowe, Lou Gare and, soon, Cornelius Cardew, and he has kept it going in various forms ever since. Along the way he has maintained his experimental credentials over more than fifty years in countless projects, run the Matchless label since 1982, and written books on improvisation as a social and ethical practice.
Parallels & Diagonals
Which is the more productive situation for improvisation: the shock of the first time encounter, unhindered by history or habit, or the long-term association and the evolution of more complex interactions? It's an unresolved, perhaps even undecidable, question. This recording brings together four improvisers together in a multi-layered situation which combines multiple permutations of the untried and the familiar. The four had never all played together before but the quartet contains various his…
PST (Live in Rome)
2012 release ** Recorded in Rome in 2005 for the Controindicazioni Festival, the album offers a testament to the magical inventiveness and instrumental mastery of these undisputed protagonists of contemporary music.
Band On The Wall
2024 Stock. Minor signs of wear from long-time storage. ** "Recorded in 1994 at a concert in Manchester, England, Band on the Wall -- which is literally where they played -- features the divine dancing of Eddie Prévost's drumming in tandem with the piano of Marilyn Crispell, who was just then emerging out from under the shadows of her two mentors, Cecil Taylor and Anthony Braxton. Since Crispell was used to working with Gerry Hemingway, this set provides an amazing contrast for the pianist, in t…
Splendid Nettle
In the third installment of the High Laver Levitations series, Ute Kanngiesser, Seymour Wright, and Eddie Prévost create an immersive listening experience that blends the unique voices of cello, alto sax, and drum kit with the resonant acoustics of All Saints Church in High Laver, Essex. Known for exploring the boundaries of sound in live improvisation, this trio uses the space's natural reverberation to enhance each extended improvisation, revealing subtle textures and dynamic contrasts as they…
A Bright Nowhere - Journeying Into Improvisation
A Bright Nowhere - Journeying Into Improvisation is an important audio-visual record of a landmark series of four concerts staged in London in 2022 when more than 30 musicians joined improviser, percussionist and animateur Eddie Prévost to mark his 80th birthday. The film takes a close look at improvisers who create music in the moment, free from the authority of a composer, score or conductor. Ranging from profound delicacy to subversive atonality, the “awkward wealth” of this music raises vita…
The Wandering One
"A live recording of freely improvised improv captured at All Hallows Church in High Laver, Essex in 2023 from the trio of AMM drummer and Matchless label-leader Eddie Prévost, Zürich and Maastricht trumpeter Silvan Shmid, and London double bassist Tom Wheatley of the group Widdershins, heard in three investigative conversations of great creative drive." * squidco.com
Unearthed
"Long-time collaborators and iconoclastic improvisers, drummer Eddie Prévost and saxophonist John Butcher, met at All Hallows Church, in High Laver, Essex in 2023, using the natural ambience of the space to capture these three improvisations, Prévost playing primarily on a drum kit and both in a more jazz-oriented sax and drum duo, extended by both players' exceptional technique." - squidco.com
The Cry Of A Dove Announcing Rain
"In 2022, Eddie Prévost celebrated his 80 th birthday with the series Towards a Bright Nowhere, a series of July concerts at Café Oto that appeared as both a series of four CDs and a documentary. These two CDs document later duo performances from October 2022 to June 2023 with French pianist Marjolaine Charbin, apparently a recent association, and saxophonist John Butcher, a longtime creative partner. Each emphasizes a different dimension of Prévost’s creativity. He’s credited with percussion on…
The Secret Handshake With Danger (Vol. One)
Eddie Prévost, a preeminent musician in the UK improvised music scene and founding member of legendary AMM, might be equally renowned for his generous, decades-long mentorship. Both talent and Prévost’s mentorship are on display in this new album, The Secret Handshake with Danger, Volume One which features five musicians (Binker Golding on Saxophones, Henry Kaiser on Guitar, N.O. Moore on Guitar, Olie Brice on Double Bass and Eddie Prévost on Drums) improvising from a lifetime of collaboration. …
A Company Of Others
'Making a Journey to a Bright Nowhere' series - marking Eddie Prévost's 80th birthday.
Volume 1, Cafe OTO 9th July 2022
The Art Of Noticing
'Making a journey to a Bright Nowhere' series - marking Eddie Prévost's 80th birthday.
Volume 2, Cafe OTO 16th July 2022
Do Disturb
Capturing two exceptional concerts at London's Cafe OTO in 2021 & 2022, in the launch of a new quartet expanding the longstanding trio of N.O. Moore on electric guitar, John Edwards on double bass and Eddie Prévost on drums, with Alan Wilkinson on baritone & alto saxophones, and for one performance on each night, tenor saxophonist Nathaniel Catchpole joining.
"Launch show for the quartet to mark the release of new CD 'EMPoWered' on Brooklyn's 577 Records. Edwards, Moore and Prévost have comprise…
Under The Sun
*In process of stocking* Quartet, the masterful grouping of Rachel Musson on tenor sax, NO Moore on electric guitar, Olie Brice on double bass and Eddie Prévost on drums, an improvising ensemble of wonderfully unpredictable momentum, from passages of quiet introspection to thunderous density, but always with attentive listening and imaginative responses, heard in this spectacular 2021 concert at Iklektic.
Collider
*In process of stocking* Or, 'whose drum is it, anyway?'
Recording of a drum solo concert given at Network Theatre, London on 6th February, 2012
Easter Monday Music
*In process of stocking. 200 copies limited release, CDr format* On Easter Monday of 2019, friends and colleagues reunited at London’s iconic improvisational space Café Oto. The four, Ken Ikeda (Synthesizer), Massimo Magee (Electronics, Saxophone), Joshua Weitzel (Shamisen), Eddie Prévost (Percussion) had met and played together many times in the years prior—usually in the context of Eddie Prévost’s London Improvisation Workshop—but had never performed a public concert together. The group's avan…
An Uncommon Music for the Common Man
* 2021 stock * Percussionist, Improviser and AMM founding member Eddie Prévost's fourth book presents a fascinating series of reflections and challenging insights on music in its various forms, and the development of improvised music at the intersection of contemporary compositional and conceptual forms; alongside a personal history of Prevost's life and his relationship with music.
"Part personal history, part provocation, here is a compelling book about musical improvisation. But it's also abo…
The First Concert: An Adaptive Appraisal of a Meta Music (Book)
* 2021 stock * Percussionist Eddie Prévost co-founded in the 1960s the seminal improvising music ensemble AMM. In this book he presents a very personal philosophy of music informed by his long working practice and inspired by the London weekly improvisation workshop he first convened in 1999. Perhaps controversially, this view is mediated through the developing critical discourse of adaptionism; a perspective grounded in Darwinian conceptions of human nature. Music herein is examined for its cog…
Darkened, yet Shone
Combining free improvisation, free jazz, rock, and electronic improvisation, the trio of Eddie Prevost (drums), No Moore (guitarist), and bassist John Edwards are caught live at Iklectik in London, 2017, for a concert that changes pace from vigorous riffs to unconventional introspection, with masterful playing and profound technique, an exceptional performance.
Sum
Eddie Prevost's weekly workshops in London have produced two remarkable associates, saxophonist Seymour Wright and guitarist Ross Lambert, here in a trio on this 2CD release.
Indústria
The title Indústria was chosen by Eddie Prevost in tribute to the history behind the Museu Industrial de Bala do Tejo, in Portugal where this concert took place by the legendary free improvisation band AMM, represented here as the duo of percussionist Eddie Prévost and pianist John Tilbury, performing as part of the 2015 Out.Fest - Festival Internacional de Musica Exploratoria do Barreiro.
ConcertOTO
American pianist Marilyn Crispell joined London Improviser's Orchestra saxophonist & clarinetist Harry Smith and AMM drummer Eddie Prévost for this 2012 concert at London's Cafe OTO, playing in a melodic free jazz mode of passionate interaction and deep communication, resulting in an unforced and naturally masterful set of thoughtfully lyrical improvisation.
The Whole Moon Rests In A Dewdrop On The Grass
Performing live at Cafe OTO in London, 2018, Japanese sound artist and composer Ken Ikeda comes together with percussionist and Matchless label-leader Eddie Prevost for a concert of resonant, rich improvisation, Ikeda's electronics complementing Prevost's bowed cymbals as the duo builds to a diverse offering of powerful yet controlled sonic uproar. Stunning!
Rare duo set from Japanese musician and artist Ken Ikeda - who has composed and recorded for David Lynch and Moriko Mori amongst others - a…
Nous
Matchless Recordings presents a live concert by Eddie Prévost, N.O. Moore, and Jason Yarde recorded at the Vortex Jazz Club, in London, UK, on February 22nd, 2020, by Giovanni de Rovere. The album includes four tracks performed by Eddie Prévost - Drums, N.O. Moore - Electric Guitar, Effects, Jason Yarde - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Electronics.
Iklectik Live One
Matchless Recordings presents a live concert by Eddie Prévost, John Butcher and Guillaume Viltard recorded at Iklectik, in London, UK, on November 23rd, 2016, by Giovanni de Rovere. The album includes four tracks performed by John Butcher - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Eddie Prévost - Drums, Guillaume Viltard - Double Bass.
Bean Soup and Bouquets
Matchless Recordings presents the reunion concert of Eddie Prevost's 1970s band at Cafe OTO, London, 17th February, 2020.The album includes three tracks performed by Eddie Prévost - Drums, Geoff Hawkins - Tenor Saxophone, Gerry Gold - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Marcio Mattos - Double Bass.
High Laver Reflections
Matchless Recordings presents a live concert by Eddie Prévost, Daniel Kordik and Edward Lucas recorded at All Saints Church, in High Lave, Essex, England during Spring 2019.The album includes four tracks performed by Eddie Prévost - Percussion, Daniel Kordik - Modular Synthesiser, and Edward Lucas - Trombone.
"Four improvisations at All Saints Church, High Lave, Essex, England, during Spring 2019." - Matchless
Along Came Joe
Recorded at Freedom of the City festival, London, England on 1st May 2006.
Alpha Lemur Echo
Mycophile Records presents a live concert by Jim O'Rourke - Guitar, Electronics, Michael Prime - Electronics and Eddie Prévost - Percussion. Track 1 was recorded live at Jackman's Lane Centre, London 1994 and Track 2 was recorded 27/8/90 in Catford.
1977 Live Vols 1 & 2
"Aside from working with the influential avant-garde ensemble AMM, percussionist Eddie Prévost led some highly challenging British free jazz groups in the '70s. These sessions from 1977 showcase a project featuring Geoff Hawkins on saxophone, Gerry Gold on trumpet, and the phenomenal talents of Marcio Mattos on bass.With Prevost's always inventive and high-energy drumming holding it all together, the quartet explores the tradition of free jazz with the astute wit of classical musicians. The exce…
Matching Mix
In October 2018 we took several recordings in and around Eddie Prévost’s home village of Matching Tye in Essex, where he has been living for the past fifty years. The majority of the pieces that made it to this LP took place in All Saints Church, High Laver, the burial site of John Locke. This fact was notable in the choice of title for this set of recordings, and it seemed necessary to put forward Eddie’s own take on Locke that he offered in our correspondences: “Scholars of Locke’s philosophy…
Visionary Fantasies
The 100th record released by Matchless! A series of inspired solo and duo performances from AMM founder, percussionist Eddie Prevost and free improvising saxophonist John Butcher, captured live at London's Iklectik in 2018, splitting the album between solo and duo work as the two morph their instruments into incredible sonic devices, with intense concentration and dialog nothing short of fantastic."Although Eddie Prévost and John Butcher shared the stage at Derek Bailey's 1990 London Company Wee…
Tools Of Imagination
"Tools Of Imagination is one of the newest albums, recently released by Fundacja Sluchaj. The music was recorded by great duo – Evan Parker (tenor saxophone) and Eddie Prevost (drums, percussion). Both musicians are great famous jazz masters. Their improvisations always are played with passion and have expressive, live and bright musical language. The music is based on avant-garde jazz and free improvisations. Musicians like to improvise spontaneously – they are the masters of creative, colorful…
Uncertain Outcomes
Two concerts of experimental improvisation from Eddie Prevost and Christian Wolff, two giants of conceptual improvisation and composition, recorded at Ikletick in London in 2015 and at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire in 2016; with superb pacing and brilliant execution, these dialogs between keyboard and percussive instruments explore unique sound worlds with depth, inquisitiveness, and a sense of wonder.
Supersession
Recorded at a concert in London, September 1984, this supersession brings AMM stalwarts Keith Rowe and Eddie Prevost together with saxophonist Evan Parker and bassist Barry Guy for an amazingly diverse and cohesive long improvisation.
"Eddie Prévost is not only a highly articulate percussionist but also a stimulating writer, writing for example his occasional contributions to The Write Place or his examnation and critical reactions to The Ganelin Trio in Wire 7. This CD release from Prévos…
Beyond the Barrier
Superb free improvisation from the UK trio of Nathaniel Catchpole on tenor sax, John Edwards on double bass, and Eddie Prevost on drums and bowed tam-tam, three generations of improvisers pushing the envelope of spontaneous composition in accomplished and playful dialog. "
Nothing changes. However, how do we initiate or revive a sense of investigation? How do we push beyond the merely presentational? Market acceptability is surely a too limited artistic objective. Maybe, no objective a…
Acoustic Trio
Acoustic trio with John Coxon [acoustic guitars] Ashley Wales [found percussion etc.] and AMM's Eddie Prevost. A slowly evolving and spacious piece originating from reading eddie's book 'minute particulars'. "I have a National Trojan guitar from the 1930s that i bought in a little shop in new orleans. I used this for the ‘acoustic trio’ recording with Ashley Wales and Eddie Prevost [amongst many other recordings]. I remember Eddie saying ‘the perfect instrument’ because it has both a membrane an…
All Change
Recorded in concert at The Network Theatre, Waterloo in London, 2012, the trio of Tom Chant on saxophone, John Edwards on bass and Eddie Prevost on drums present a tour de force of modern free jazz with great technical and conversational power.
Tri-Borough Triptych
Hearing Evan Parker make music with Eddie Prévost, on the first of these three lengthy duets recorded in three different London boroughs, is like watching a pair of tai chi masters sparring. Parker’s tenor and Prévost’s bowed and struck percussion draw buoyancy from each other’s energy as they alternately push and yield. Together they move with feline lightness, agility and balance, even when the music’s mood is stormy and turbulent. The event was Freedom Of The City 2012; the venue, Ceci…
Meetings With Remarkable Saxophonists - Volume 3
Jason Yarde, alto and soprano saxophones. Oli Hayhurst, double bass. Eddie Prévost, drums. Recorded at Network Theatre, Waterloo, London on 7th August 2011. "The real discovery is Jason Yarde, and to come in a series after Evan Parker and John Butcher says enough about the esteem Prévost has for the young musician. The quality is obvious. He can shout and scream full of relentless energy, exploring new sonic environments and alternating with very lyrical and calm passages, with phrases and…
Meetings With Remarkable Saxophonists - Volume 4
The fourth volume of Eddie Prevost's 2011 series of concerts at Network Theatre, Waterloo, London meeting with remarkable saxophonists, here with Bertrand Denzler, tenor saxophone, John Edwards, double bass, Eddie Prévost, drums. Recorded at The Network Theatre, Waterloo, on the 12th December 2011. Special thanks to the theatrical custodians of The Network Theatre and especially Keith Wait - for being so positively disposed for this series. Recorded by Giovanni La Rovere. Mixed and edited by Joh…
