The English drummer and composer Tony Oxley, who died yesterday, December 26, 2023, was an important jazz drummer who perhaps made his mark most deeply as a part of the global community of improvising musicians. In his long career, he played with Sonny Rollins, collaborated frequently with English compatriots Derek Bailey and Evan Parker, toured with Bill Evans, and had long musical partnerships with Bill Dixon and Cecil Taylor.
A few notes about the records you mentioned: Tony considered Extrapolation to be a "pop record" that he did as a favor to McLaughlin and because he was completely broke at the time. Not to take anything away from his playing; he was the only one in England who could play McLaughlin's music on drums at that time and he was aware of that.
In 1972, after a few gigs, Bill Evans offered Tony to be the permanent drummer in his trio, but Tony didn't want to commit for more than 6 months; that wasn't enough for Bill Evans.
And at this duo gig in 2008 I shared the evening with the Oxley/Taylor duo (I played with the Uli Gumpert Workshop Band). Apart from the fact that Cecil wanted to renegotiate his fee shortly before his performance (but the organizer Ulli Blobel routinely let that go to waste), I was also amazed by Tony's playing that night. There was a lot more electronics than drums, and he had also lightened up his drum set because he thought he was too old to carry it around.
He was one of my heroes and his music was and is a great inspiration.
I don't really know how to post a photo here on Substack, but if you want to know what his drums looked like that night in 2008, let me know. I took some pictures, of course. And one of my students at the time wrote his thesis on Tony Oxley and Han Bennink, and his descriptions of the setup were used in the book on Tony by Ulrich Kurth. Unfortunately the book is only available in German, but German-speaking readers here might find it interesting. https://www.wolke-verlag.de/musikbuecher/ulrich-kurth-the-4th-quarter-of-the-triad-tony-oxley/
thanks vinnie! i too was influenced by the john mclaughlin album - extrapolation with tony on it... awesome playing and drummer.. never got to see him play since he was in the uk the whole time mostly..
michael griener - thanks for those additional notes.. very interesting!! i have seen han bennink a few times and admire his approach... i am much more straight ahead drummer then either of these cats, but i really dig what both of them do...
Many memories of seeing Oxley live over the years, including promoting two gigs which featured him and when I was lucky to spend some social time with him. Now check this, immediately: https://youtu.be/fT1tZ3PdlEg?feature=shared
A few notes about the records you mentioned: Tony considered Extrapolation to be a "pop record" that he did as a favor to McLaughlin and because he was completely broke at the time. Not to take anything away from his playing; he was the only one in England who could play McLaughlin's music on drums at that time and he was aware of that.
In 1972, after a few gigs, Bill Evans offered Tony to be the permanent drummer in his trio, but Tony didn't want to commit for more than 6 months; that wasn't enough for Bill Evans.
And at this duo gig in 2008 I shared the evening with the Oxley/Taylor duo (I played with the Uli Gumpert Workshop Band). Apart from the fact that Cecil wanted to renegotiate his fee shortly before his performance (but the organizer Ulli Blobel routinely let that go to waste), I was also amazed by Tony's playing that night. There was a lot more electronics than drums, and he had also lightened up his drum set because he thought he was too old to carry it around.
He was one of my heroes and his music was and is a great inspiration.
Incredible information, thank you Michael. I'm so glad you shared this-- we need this info out there. Thanks for reading, and thanks for writing...
I don't really know how to post a photo here on Substack, but if you want to know what his drums looked like that night in 2008, let me know. I took some pictures, of course. And one of my students at the time wrote his thesis on Tony Oxley and Han Bennink, and his descriptions of the setup were used in the book on Tony by Ulrich Kurth. Unfortunately the book is only available in German, but German-speaking readers here might find it interesting. https://www.wolke-verlag.de/musikbuecher/ulrich-kurth-the-4th-quarter-of-the-triad-tony-oxley/
thanks vinnie! i too was influenced by the john mclaughlin album - extrapolation with tony on it... awesome playing and drummer.. never got to see him play since he was in the uk the whole time mostly..
michael griener - thanks for those additional notes.. very interesting!! i have seen han bennink a few times and admire his approach... i am much more straight ahead drummer then either of these cats, but i really dig what both of them do...
A wonderful appreciation, thanks. That cowbell scrape is, for me, Tony Oxley's defining sound - he'll be sorely missed.
Would love to read your thoughts on other drummers in this idiom - Paul Lytton, Paul Lovens, Louis Moholo, Gunter Sommet, etc etc.
Glad you enjoyed it Hugo, and thank you for this list of drummers...I have some listening to do!
Many memories of seeing Oxley live over the years, including promoting two gigs which featured him and when I was lucky to spend some social time with him. Now check this, immediately: https://youtu.be/fT1tZ3PdlEg?feature=shared
Just tried link. Doesn’t seem to be working. Go to YouTube: Kenny Wheeler Tribute to Bill Evans 1991
Thanks for this
Thank you Roz!