Company

Company was an influential free improvisation ensemble founded by British guitarist Derek Bailey in 1968. The group operated as a rotating collective of musicians rather than a fixed lineup, bringing together diverse artists from jazz, avant-garde, and classical backgrounds for spontaneous collaborations. The ensemble hosted annual "Company Weeks" festivals from 1977 to 1994, which became important events in the free improvisation scene. These gatherings featured an impressive roster of experimental musicians including Evan Parker, Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, John Zorn, and numerous other innovative performers who might not otherwise have collaborated. Company released multiple recordings throughout their existence, primarily on Bailey's Incus Records label. Their discography includes significant works like Company 1-7 (1976-1978), Fables (1980), and Company 91, documenting various combinations of improvisers and approaches to collective spontaneous music-making. The group's legacy lies in its role as a platform for cross-pollination between different experimental music scenes and its advancement of free improvisation as an art form. Company's flexible structure and commitment to spontaneous creation influenced subsequent approaches to improvised music and collaborative performance.

Music fans and critics remember Company for bringing together unlikely combinations of improvisers in raw, unplanned sessions. Readers appreciate: - The group's unpredictable energy and musical risk-taking - Documentation of rare collaborations between major avant-garde figures - The audio quality and clarity of the live recordings - Company Weeks' influence on later improvised music festivals Common criticisms: - Sessions can meander or feel disconnected - Dense, abstract nature makes recordings challenging for casual listeners - Sound quality varies across releases - Some combinations of players work better than others From online reviews: Amazon ratings average 4.1/5 across Company releases Goodreads shows limited entries but averages 3.8/5 The Wire magazine reader reviews particularly praise the Company 91 and Fables albums One reviewer noted: "Like watching skilled tightrope walkers - thrilling when it works, painful when it doesn't." Another wrote: "Essential historical documents of free improv, but not always easy listening."

Company 1-7 (1976-1978) A series of recordings documenting early Company performances featuring rotating ensembles of improvisers.

Fables (1980) Live improvisations captured during Company Week 1980 with Derek Bailey, Tristan Honsinger, and Christine Jeffrey.

Once (1987) Recordings from the 1987 Company Week featuring Steve Lacy, Evan Parker, and Derek Bailey.

Company 91 (1991) Live performances from the 1991 Company Week with John Zorn, Alexander Balanescu, and Paul Lovens.

Epiphany (1982) Studio recordings of collective improvisations with Julie Tippetts and Keith Tippett.

Trios (1985) Three-way improvisations featuring different combinations of Company members.

Company in Marseilles (1986) Live recordings from performances in Marseilles featuring Steve Beresford and Vittorio Gelmetti.

John Zorn led the improvising game piece ensemble Cobra and founded the Tzadik record label. His work spans free jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental rock, with projects like Naked City and Masada showing similar collaborative spirit to Company.

Anthony Braxton developed complex musical systems combining composition and improvisation through his Ghost Trance Music and other works. His large ensembles and rotating collaborator groups mirror Company's collective approach to spontaneous music-making.

Evan Parker pioneered extended saxophone techniques and led numerous freely improvised sessions with rotating personnel. His Electro-Acoustic Ensemble and various small group recordings demonstrate similar interests in spontaneous group interaction.

Steve Lacy explored free improvisation while maintaining connections to earlier jazz forms through his soprano saxophone work. His various ensembles and duos reflected Company's balance of structure and freedom.

Cecil Taylor developed a highly personal approach to piano improvisation and led various sized ensembles with flexible personnel. His Unit Structures concept parallels Company's focus on spontaneous group creation and interaction between diverse musicians.