S.O.D. "Beatrice" by Sam Rivers

11/7/2016      How about some modal jazz.  Rivers passed in 2011 but remains one of the most dynamic and influential jazz artists of all time.  Altogether Mr Rivers was a part of 62 musical projects, many as bandleader.  Rivers served and performed in the U.S. Navy in the 40s and in 1947 moved to Boston where he studied at the Boston Conservatory under the genius of Armenian composer Alan Hovhaness.  

     While playing with 13-year-old drummer Tony Williams, Williams mentioned him to Miles Davis.  Rivers then became a part of the Miles Davis Quintet in 1964 for a short time.  He derived much of his music from the jazz genre bebop, but was very versatile with other jazz genres and could blow your mind with his discoveries.  His skills included bass clarinet, tenor and soprano saxophones, piano, flute and harmonica.