Celebration of Jazz with the Charles Lloyd Trio
by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer
On April 21, the University will welcome world-renowned jazz saxophonist and flutist Charles Lloyd back to the Mountain for a celebration of jazz. Lloyd will be joined by Bill Frisell on guitar and Gerald Clayton on piano — the Charles Lloyd trio.
Lloyd, a Memphis native, began his career playing with some of the greatest jazz leaders, including Ornette Coleman and Cannonball Adderly. Over the course of his career, he has worked with musicians as diverse as Howlin’ Wolf and the Beach Boys. In recent years, Lloyd has worked with greats including Norah Jones, Zakir Hussain, Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson.
Stephen Miller, chair of the music department, said from a musical standpoint, the Charles Lloyd Trio’s performance is exciting based solely on the caliber of musicianship the three men possess, but of particular note is how this concert came to be.
Lloyd played the Mountain twice back in the 1960s — in 1964 in support of Adderly’s sextet and again in 1967 as the frontman to the future star pianist, Keith Jarrett. It’s those performances and the upcoming concert that make Lloyd’s appearance in Sewanee seem like a true ‘full-circle’ moment.
“These concerts were under the auspices of the Sewanee Jazz Society, and at one of them, his performance mesmerized a certain Sewanee student in the crowd,” Miller said. “Buck Hinkle, Jr., became a life-long fan of Lloyd’s, followed him around the country, brought him to our attention and has helped to make this concert possible. The music literally changed Buck’s life, and for Lloyd — who is still a completely vibrant musician — to play Sewanee again late in his career seems just perfect. This performance will be something of a homecoming.”
In describing Lloyd’s sound, Miller said Lloyd relies heavily on his Tennessee roots but also draws from his time spent living and working in Los Angeles.
“He’s been on the road performing since around 1960. As all fans of jazz know, it’s an improvisatory genre and really must be heard live, so in terms of sheer aesthetics and musical beauty, this is a great opportunity for the community. Lloyd’s saxophone and flute will take you into other dimensions of existence, and Frisell on guitar and Clayton on keys both have similar qualities of transcendence,” Miller said.
The Charles Lloyd Trio will perform at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 21, in Guerry Auditorium.
Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at
www.tickettailor.com/events/sewaneesummermusicfestival/681960