Complicité

Marilyn Crispell's 'Complicité' is a captivating album that showcases her exceptional pianistic skills, released on 12 July 2001 by Les Disques Victo. This 55-minute masterpiece is a testament to her innovative approach to free jazz, featuring eight intricate tracks, including 'Prayer', 'Triplosm, Pt. I', and 'Gesture Without Plot'. Recorded live at the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville in Quebec, Canada, on 22 May 2000, 'Complicité' is part of a three-CD set that also features performances by pianist Paul Plimley and saxophonist John Oswald, as well as the renowned pianist Cecil Taylor.

Marilyn Crispell's performance on 'Complicité' is characterised by her unique ability to meander blissfully and chaotically, creating a vision of measured abandon. The album's eight tracks demonstrate her mastery of free jazz, blending floating bits of structure and melody with unbridled freedom. With 'Complicité', Marilyn Crispell invites listeners to experience the unbridled energy and creativity of her live performance, making this album an essential addition to any jazz enthusiast's collection.

Marilyn Crispell is a pioneering force in the world of free jazz, renowned for her powerful and distinctive piano playing. Born in Philadelphia in 1947, Crispell's journey into jazz began in her late 20s when she discovered John Coltrane's music, setting her on a path to become one of the genre's most original and sought-after pianists. Her style, influenced by the likes of Coltrane and Cecil Taylor, is uniquely her own, characterized by a masterful use of space and an adventurous spirit that continually pushes boundaries.

Crispell's career is marked by her extensive work as a soloist and bandleader, as well as her collaborations with legendary figures such as saxophonist Anthony Braxton, with whom she performed in the 1980s and '90s. Her compositions and performances are known for their evocative and disciplined style, often described as akin to monitoring an active volcano, with a dynamic range that challenges and captivates. Crispell's contributions to the jazz world have been recognized with the prestigious NEA Jazz Master award, cementing her status as a true innovator in the realm of avant-garde jazz.