Live in Sant'Anna Arresi 2004

by David S. Ware / Matthew Shipp

Live in Sant Anna Arresi, 2004 is the 2nd volume in AUM Fidelity s David S. Ware Archive Series, and the first release of the saxophone master in rare duo performance with fellow master of music, pianist Matthew Shipp. Though sharing 17 years together in the legendary David S. Ware Quartet (along with bassist William Parker and a series of drummers), Shipp recalls that he and Ware performed duo concerts perhaps six times at most in that period. Thankfully, on this latter-day occasion, their work together in this form was professionally recorded.

This concert is one continuous long-form improvisation; it spans an incredibly wide range of approaches and dynamics. The ecstatic deep listening experience of free jazz performed at a highest level avails itself here in full. Their delighfully pithy trading fours encore to the concert is also included. Obviously the very deep levels of communion which were developed within the context of Ware s Quartet inform this work. In equal evidence is each of them embracing the leaderless duo context, challenging and expanding their mutual language throughout.

Following David s untimely passing in October 2012 on the eve of his 63rd birthday, it was understood necessary to continue releasing singular works of great magnitude in order to further radiate his distinctly potent sound and vision. David S. Ware s work was a foundational inspiration for the AUM Fidelity label, and its mission continues strong with this essential DSW-ARC series.

The wonderful portrait of Matthew & David featured here on the album cover was taken by world-renowned New York City-based photographer Sylvia Plachy in 1994.