Jemeel Moondoc

Jemeel Moondoc
Moondoc performing at Studio Rivbea July, 1976
Moondoc performing at Studio Rivbea July, 1976
Background information
Born(1946-08-05)August 5, 1946
Chicago, Illinois, United States
DiedAugust 29, 2021(2021-08-29) (aged 75)
GenresJazz
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Alto saxophone, clarinet, piano
Websitehttps://www.jemeelmoondoc.com/

Jemeel Moondoc (August 5, 1946 – August 29, 2021)[1][2] was a jazz saxophonist who played alto saxophone.[3] He was a proponent of a highly improvisational style.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States,[2] and studied clarinet and piano before settling on saxophone at sixteen. He became interested in jazz largely due to Cecil Taylor and at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he was a student of Taylor's. After that he moved to New York City, where he founded "Ensemble Muntu" with William Parker, Roy Campbell, Jr., and Rashid Bakr.[2] The group also had its own Muntu record label, but eventually faced financial difficulties. In 1984, he formed the Jus Grew Orchestra, which secured a residency at the Neither/Nor club in the Lower East Side.[2] He worked with Parker again in 1998's album, New World Pygmies.[4]

He died in August 2021, at the age of 75 from the effects of sickle cell anemia.[1]

Discography

As leader

with the Jus Grew Orchestra

As sideman

with Active Ingredients (Chad Taylor, Moondoc, Tom Abbs, Steve Swell)
with Denis Charles
with Steve Swell

References

  1. ^ a b "Jemeel Moondoc, Intrepid Saxophonist and Composer Who Carved a Path Through the Avant-Garde, Is Dead at 76". Wbgo.org. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 291–2. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  3. ^ Such, David Glen (1993). Avant-garde jazz musicians: performing "out there". University of Iowa Press. pp. 67–70. ISBN 978-0-87745-435-9.
  4. ^ "New World Pygmies - Jemeel Moondoc | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 30, 2021.