This may be the ramblings of an old fool but I was fascinated to listen to Tony Oxley’s wonderful album The Baptised Traveller and note Evan Parker’s tenor playing. Having not listened to the Oxley recording before I was struck by the similarity in sound between Parker and what Zorn would be doing years later.

Is it me or is there quite a close stylistic match between the horn sound on the disc and Zorn? I think they share a fairly close sonic vocabulary. The (and here I have to use technical terms) squalls of squiggles followed by the false high register screams and whistles seem remarkably alike. I wouldn't mind betting that Parker was a major influence on Zorn as he got to grips with the alto. (Zorn’s alto playing can sound, at times, like a tenor to my ears.)

Any other thoughts on Zorn influences? We all must have our ideas.

I would urge all those on this list to give The Baptised Traveller and its follow up Four Compositions for Septet a listen. Tony Oxley, Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler, Derek Bailey and Jeff Cline with (on the second disc Paul Rutherford) at their peak.

Apologies if this subject has been covered before.

Cheers

Richard Gardner