 In the late '50s and early '60s, John Tchicai explored the Danish and Northern European jazz-scene. He moved to New York City in '62. In the following 4 years, he recorded on 11 albums (a.o. "Mohawk", "Ascension" with John Coltrane, "New York Eye and Ear Control" with Albert Ayler), co-founded 2 ensembles ("New York Contemporary Five" and "New York Art Quartet" which was a harbinger of collective musical approaches and philosophies that leading avant-groups of the '70s would develop) that he toured Europe with, and was a member of "The Jazz Composers Guild". He moved back to Denmark in '66 where he co-founded "Cadentia Nova Danica", at one time a 30-piece ensemble which recorded "Afrodisiaca". In the '70s, John discovered hatha yoga and meditation which became lifelong focusing points in his spiritual development. He performed less often in this period, but taught elementary schools, composed, and led workshops. By the '80s, he had picked up touring and recording internationally again, traveling through Europe, to India, Japan and Africa, performing as a sideman as well as leading his own groups. In 1991 John moved to California. Here he founded "John Tchicai and the Archetypes", a 7-piece band that fused afro-jazz with blues-rock and released the album "Love Is Touching". Not only did John record over 20 albums as a leader (with "New York Contemporary Five", with "New York Art Quartet", with "Cadentia Nova Danica", with "John Tchicai Trio", "J.T. Group", duo's, with "John Tchicai & the Archetypes"), and many more as a sideman (with John Coltrane on "Ascension", with "Pierre Dorge & the New Jungle Orchestra", a Danish Ellington-African inspired big band, with South African bassist Johnny Dyani, with Faroe Islands-pianist Kristian Blak, with Dutch saxophone sextet "The Six Winds", with John Lennon and Yoko Ono and with Cecil Taylor on "Winged Serpent"), but he also took part in collaborations with artists of disciplines other than music (with poets Amiri Baraka, John Stewart, David Gitin, with painters, actors and dancers). He composed for film, theater plays and video-projects. John Tchicai passed away peacefully on October 8, 2012. |
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