Albert Mangelsdorff: The Jazz Innovator
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Albert Mangelsdorff, born on September 5, 1928, in Frankfurt, Germany, was a renowned jazz trombonist. His musical journey began with violin lessons as a child and he was self-taught on guitar in addition to knowing trombone. His brother, Emil Mangelsdorff, had a jazz record collection, but during the Nazi period Albert’s enthusiasm for the music had to be restrained. He began his career as a professional musician in 1947 as a rhythm guitarist in the Otto Laufner Big Band, which played in US Army clubs.
Career and Musical Innovations
Mangelsdorff was a key figure in the 1950s and early 1960s at the Cellar, a musician-operated Frankfurt 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, Mangelsdorff 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. Mangelsdorff’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 Jazz
In addition to his musical contributions, Mangelsdorff 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
Mangelsdorff passed away on July 25, 2005, at the age of 76. However, his influence on the world of jazz continues to be felt.
- “The Albert Mangelsdorff Quartet”– This album features Mangelsdorff’s quartet and provides a glimpse into his musical genius.
- “Now Jazz Ramwong”– This album showcases Mangelsdorff’s unique approach to jazz, combining classical music with jazz and Latin American rhythms.
- “Tension”– This album, released in 1963, is a testament to Mangelsdorff’s unique and personal performance style.
- “Animal Dance”– This 1964 recording with John Lewis and the Zagreb Jazz Quartet showcases Mangelsdorff’s innovative approach to music.
- “Mainhattan Modern – Lost Jazz Files”– This album, released in 2015, features previously unreleased recordings from the 1960s.
- “And His Friends”– This album features collaborations with other musicians and showcases Mangelsdorff’s ability to create captivating jazz compositions.
- “Triple Entente”– This 1982 recording with Elvin Jones and Palle Danielsson showcases Mangelsdorff’s unique musical style.
- “Moon at Noon”– This 1993 recording with Wolfgang Dauner is a testament to Mangelsdorff’s innovative approach to music.
- “Live in Tokyo”– This live recording captures the energy and spontaneity of Mangelsdorff’s performances.
- “Pica Pica”– This 1983 recording showcases Mangelsdorff’s incorporation of Latin American rhythms into his music.
