Al Neil: The Multifaceted Artist
Early Life and Musical Education
Al Neil, born Alan Douglas Neil on March 26, 1924, in Vancouver, is a pianist, composer, visual artist, and author. His musical journey began with formal training under Glenn Nelson and Jean Coulthard. However, apart from some lessons with Wilf Wylie, he was largely self-taught as a jazz pianist. His interest in bebop was sparked by the recordings of Bud Powell and others, leading him to start performing in Vancouver clubs in the late 1940s.
Career and Collaborations
Neil was a central figure in the 1950s and early 1960s at the Cellar, a musician-operated Vancouver club. Here, he accompanied US jazzmen such as Carl Fontana, Art Pepper, and Sonny Red. He also performed with the saxophonist Glenn MacDonald and the bassist Don Thompson. A quartet from this period, featuring Dale Hillary, Lionel Chambers, and Bill Boyle, collaborated with the poet Kenneth Patchen on an LP.
Evolution of Style
After a brief hiatus, Neil returned to music with a trio in 1965, introducing a freer and more personal performance style that would characterize his music over the next two decades. His music from this period was considered strange even to ears accustomed to Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and Sun Ra. Neil’s music drew as much from John Cage, Alfred Jarry, and the I Ching as from any trends in free jazz or bop.
Contributions to Literature and Visual Arts
In addition to his musical contributions, Neil has also made significant contributions to literature and visual arts. His writings, often semi-autobiographical, recount some of his experiences as a musician. These include poems, a novel titled “Changes”, and a collection of short stories called “Slammer”. In the visual arts, he organized multimedia performances in the 1970s and turned to mixed-media collage in the early 1980s.
Legacy and Influence
Neil’s influence extends beyond his performances and compositions. His infrequent concerts, readings, and installations during the post-Cellar period have been in gallery settings. He also gave several concerts in Vancouver during the 1980s at the Western Front. His collages were showcased at an exhibition titled ‘Origins: Celtic Series,’ mounted on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Al Neil’s career serves as a testament to the power of dedication, versatility, and creativity in the realm of music.
- “Kenneth Patchen Reads with Jazz in Canada with the Alan Neil Quartet”– This LP, a collaboration with poet Kenneth Patchen, showcases Neil’s early work with his quartet
- “Boot + Fog”– This album, released in 1980, is a testament to Neil’s unique and personal performance style
- “Retrospective 1965-1968”– Released in 2002, this album provides a comprehensive overview of Neil’s work with his trio during the mid to late 1960s1.
- “The Cellar Years [archival]”– This 2017 release offers a glimpse into Neil’s influential years at The Cellar, a musician-operated Vancouver club1.
- “Cellar Feature from the Gregg Simpson Radio Hour”– This 2020 release features Neil’s performances alongside Harold Land and Ornette Coleman1.
- “Changes”– While not a musical recording, this novel by Neil offers insights into his experiences as a musician.
- “Slammer”– This collection of short stories, like “Changes”, provides a different perspective on Neil’s musical journey.
- “Origins: Celtic Series”– This exhibition of Neil’s collages, mounted on the occasion of his 65th birthday, showcases his contributions to the visual arts.
- Performances at the Western Front– Neil gave several concerts in Vancouver during the 1980s at the Western Front, further cementing his legacy in the music scene.
- Multimedia performances in the 1970s– Neil organized multimedia performances in the 1970s, showcasing his versatility and creativity.
