Biography
Milford Graves stood out among the most flamboyant percussionists working in the free mode through his deft integration of rhythmic materials from Asian and African sources into improvised solos. Extensive study of Indian music led him to the tabla under Wasantha Singh. Although he seldom appeared as a leader or solo artist, he contributed to sessions by an array of jazz and folk figures that included Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, Sam Amidon, and Miriam Makeba. The two leader dates Babi and Meditation Among Us surfaced in 1977, while further recordings emerged on John Zorn’s Tzadik label near the turn of the millennium.
Graves began on congas in childhood, moved to trap drums at seventeen, and later pursued tabla lessons with Singh. During the 1960s he collaborated with Giuseppi Logan and the New York Art Quartet, recorded for ESP with Logan in the middle of the decade, and joined the Jazz Composers’ Orchestra Association as a founding member. Early in that decade he also worked with Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. His role in Bill Dixon’s October Revolution in Jazz concert series brought wider attention. In 1966 he recorded two duet albums with pianist Don Pullen at Yale, maintained a steady association with Albert Ayler through 1967 and 1968 that included the Newport Festival, performed with Hugh Glover, and formed a duo with Andrew Cyrille.
Midway through the 1970s Graves took part in the Dialogue of the Drums concert series alongside Cyrille and Rashied Ali, several of which occurred in Black neighborhoods. He taught at Bennington College with Bill Dixon during the same decade and toured Europe and Japan. In the 1980s he appeared in percussion ensembles with Cyrille, Kenny Clarke, and Don Moye until Philly Joe Jones replaced Clarke. A late-1990s resurgence brought partnerships with younger players such as John Zorn and additional Tzadik releases. The New York Art Quartet’s first recording in decades, 35th Reunion, came out on DIW in 2000. Later projects featured Bill Laswell, Wadada Leo Smith, Marshall Allen, and others. Graves died on February 12, 2021.
Graves began on congas in childhood, moved to trap drums at seventeen, and later pursued tabla lessons with Singh. During the 1960s he collaborated with Giuseppi Logan and the New York Art Quartet, recorded for ESP with Logan in the middle of the decade, and joined the Jazz Composers’ Orchestra Association as a founding member. Early in that decade he also worked with Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. His role in Bill Dixon’s October Revolution in Jazz concert series brought wider attention. In 1966 he recorded two duet albums with pianist Don Pullen at Yale, maintained a steady association with Albert Ayler through 1967 and 1968 that included the Newport Festival, performed with Hugh Glover, and formed a duo with Andrew Cyrille.
Midway through the 1970s Graves took part in the Dialogue of the Drums concert series alongside Cyrille and Rashied Ali, several of which occurred in Black neighborhoods. He taught at Bennington College with Bill Dixon during the same decade and toured Europe and Japan. In the 1980s he appeared in percussion ensembles with Cyrille, Kenny Clarke, and Don Moye until Philly Joe Jones replaced Clarke. A late-1990s resurgence brought partnerships with younger players such as John Zorn and additional Tzadik releases. The New York Art Quartet’s first recording in decades, 35th Reunion, came out on DIW in 2000. Later projects featured Bill Laswell, Wadada Leo Smith, Marshall Allen, and others. Graves died on February 12, 2021.
Albums
Beyond Quantum
2008
Milford Graves & John Zorn - 50th Birthday Celebration, Vol. 2
2004
Stories
2000
Grand Unification
1998
Pieces Of Time
1984
Singles
Live
