Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1 is an album by David Murray released on the Italian Black Saint label in 1984 and the first to feature his Big Band.[1] It features performances by Murray, Olu Dara, Baikida Carroll, Craig Harris, Bob Stewart, Vincent Chancey, Steve Coleman, John Purcell, Rod Williams, Fred Hopkins and Billy Higgins conducted by Lawrence "Butch" Morris.[2] The album was followed by Live at Sweet Basil Volume 2.

Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1
Live album by David Murray Big Band
Released	1984
Recorded	August 24–26, 1984
Genre	Jazz
Length	42:30
Label	Black Saint
Producer	David Murray
David Murray Big Band chronology
Morning Song (1983) Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1 (1984) Live at Sweet Basil Volume 2 (1984)

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars, stating, "The David Murray Big Band tends to be a bit undisciplined, with plenty of rambunctious and overcrowded ensembles... The Dixieland-esque structures are better understood by some of the musicians than others, and this performance is quite erratic but certainly memorable".[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[4]

Track listing

All compositions by David Murray

1. "Lovers" – 8:20
2. "Bechet's Bounce" – 12:05
3. "Silence" – 5:55
4. "Duet for Big Band" – 16:10

• Recorded live in concert at Sweet Basil, NYC, August 24–26, 1984

Personnel

• David Murray: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
• Olu Dara: cornet
• Baikida Carroll: trumpet
• Craig Harris: trombone
• Bob Stewart: tuba
• Vincent Chancey: flugelhorn
• Steve Coleman: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
• John Purcell: alto saxophone, clarinet
• Rod Williams: piano
• Fred Hopkins: bass
• Billy Higgins: percussion
• Lawrence "Butch" Morris: conductor

References