Bill Dixon 100

False Locust is delighted to present Bill Dixon 100 at The Attic. Over the last year, False Locust has celebrated the life and legacy of trumpeter, composer, artist, educator, and political activist, Bill Dixon, in his centenary year.

Resolutely determined to stay true to his artistic philosophy, resisting standard definitions of composition, timbre, and jazz, Bill Dixon left an indelible mark on those who received his message, especially his students at Bennington College, Vermont. In 1964, he co-organised New York’s landmark avant-garde festival, October Revolution in Jazz, with equal emphasis on political panel discussion and live music. In 1967, he released his first album as leader, the seminal Intents and Purposes. Throughout the 1980s and onwards, Dixon toured extensively through Europe, recording some of his most important albums, such as In Italy, and later with Tony Oxley, William Parker, and Barry Guy, Vade Mecum. Dixon continued to create and inspire until his passing in 2010.

The night begins with a freely improvising quartet, featuring Sam Eastmond, Noam Solomons-Wise, Fergus Quill, and Al Bonney. Part II will be a performance of Index, a composition Dixon considered one of his most significant works, performed by the Index Orchestra, formed of mostly Leeds-based musicians, conducted by Sam Eastmond.

This iteration of the Index Orchestra features: Winds; Isabella Zufolo, Joel Stedman, Neo, Kurtis, Simeon Lord; Trumpets: Al Bonney, Sam Ehret-Pickett, Charlie Miller, Felix B, Diggory Keyse, Ernie Moore; Trombones: Freddie Good, Benjy Arnold, Risha Alimchandani; Tuba: Albert Chinn; Guitars: Moss Freed, Joel Cross, Will Lakin; Contrabass: Fergus Quill, Ozzy Mosey, Bick Bardon; Drums: Noam Solomons-Wise.

False Locust is supported by the Early Career Promoter Fund which is managed by PRS Foundation and funded by Arts Council England using Supporting Grassroots Music funding from DCMS.