The Enchanted Messenger

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Tony Oxley's "The Enchanted Messenger," a monumental live album recorded in November 1994 at the prestigious Haus der Kulturen der Welt during the Berlin Jazz Festival. This 19-track masterpiece, released in 1996 under the Soul Note label, showcases the brilliance of the Tony Oxley Celebration Orchestra, a fifteen-piece ensemble led by the renowned English percussionist Tony Oxley. The album features the legendary trumpeter Bill Dixon as a special guest artist, adding an extra layer of depth and virtuosity to the performance.

"The Enchanted Messenger" is a testament to Oxley's innovative approach to free jazz and avant-garde music. The album is structured into 19 interrelated sections, each contributing to a cohesive and dynamic listening experience. The ensemble's performance is nothing short of breathtaking, with a steady layering of voicings that build upon each other to create a dense and intricate musical landscape. The album's duration of 1 hour and 8 minutes ensures that listeners are fully engrossed in the intricate web of sounds and rhythms that Oxley and his orchestra weave together.

The ensemble features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Johannes Bauer, Frank Gratkowski, Stefan Holker, Alexsander Kolkowski, Tony Levin, Marcio Mattos, Phil Minton, Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky, and many more. Each musician brings their unique talents to the table, contributing to the album's rich and complex sound.

"The Enchanted Messenger" is not just an album; it is a live documentation of a groundbreaking performance that pushes the boundaries of free jazz and avant-garde music. The album's intricate compositions and virtuosic performances make it a standout release in the genre, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of Tony Oxley and his ensemble. Whether you are a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Enchanted Messenger" is sure to captivate and inspire.