Barry Altschul

In the initial years of the 1970s, Barry Altschul served as drummer in Circle, an outfit featuring Chick Corea alongside Dave Holland and Anthony Braxton that may rank among the most skilled free jazz groups in terms of technical prowess. His approach within the group spanned an immense range of styles, which he himself described as stretching "from ragtime to no time," drawing from his experience in conventional jazz forms that provided a firm base for his explorations in freer territory.

Transitioning from those Circle performances through later efforts leading his groups and joining forces with prominent figures in avant jazz, Altschul has maintained a steady level of performance, particularly in creating powerful drive while preserving the group's balance. Much of this rhythmic strength arises from the delicacy in his playing technique, resulting in a crisp and precisely articulated tone. His consistent focus on nuances of rhythm and timbre has defined his contributions over time.

Prior to formal instruction beginning in 1960 under Charlie Persip, Altschul developed his abilities mostly without teachers. Between 1964 and 1970 he performed frequently alongside pianist Paul Bley, with whom connections persisted sporadically into the following two decades. Additional studies occurred in 1969 with Sam Ulano. During the period from 1964 to 1968 he belonged to both the Jazz Composer's Guild and the Jazz Composer's Orchestra Association. Portions of the 1960s found him engaged in mainstream jazz performances across Europe.

Throughout the 1970s he documented sessions involving Circle's separate participants. Under Dave Holland's direction in 1972, he appeared on the landmark recording Conference of the Birds together with Braxton and saxophonist Sam Rivers. Contemporaneous projects included work alongside Bley, bassist Alan Silva, and pianist Andrew Hill. During the 1980s Altschul issued his own albums via Soul Note while supporting artists including the Russian-born pianist Simon Nabatov and Kenny Drew. His 1985 release That's Nice showcased his skills as a lively and witty director in a contemporary mainstream style.

Advancing into the 2000s, Altschul has sustained inventive playing through the FAB Trio, which united him with violinist Billy Bang and bassist Joe Fonda (continuing until the violinist's passing in April 2011), as well as ensembles like the Gebhard Ullmann-Steve Swell Quartet that includes bassist Hilliard Greene, highlighting their strong rhythmic interplay.