Curlew: Biography

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• Skeleton Crew
• Eugene Chadbuorne
• Fred Frith
• Pippin Barnett
• John Zorn
• No Safety
• Timber

• Ann Rupel
• Tom Cora
• George Cartwright
• Davey Williams
• Amy Denio
• No Safety
• Face Ditch

• Paul Haines

Formed:

Jan 1, 1979

Genres:

Avant Garde Jazz Music, Rock Music, Progressive Rock Music

Decades Active:

1980's|1990's|2000's

Curlew was formed in 1979 by George Cartwright, who serves as the group's leader, saxophonist and main composer. The other members of Curlew are presently electric guitarists Davey Williams and Chris Cochrane, bassist Ann Rupel and drummer Kenny Wollesen. Although Cartwright is a native Southerner, and brings something of a roadhouse, RB swagger to his music, Curlew was founded in New York, and has been part of the hip, NYC "downtown" scene since its inception. Over the years, with Cartwright and Williams as the group constants, Curlew has been something of an incubator and showcase for NYC avant jazz talent. Maverick keyboardist Wayne Horvitz played on Curlew's third album, Live in Berlin. Cellist Tom Cora was an early member, and is featured on several Curlew releases; Cora was also a founding member of Skeleton Crew with Fred Frith and has played with such artists as Eugene Chadbourne and John Zorn. Original Curlew drummer Pippin Barnett was a founding member of the Orthotonics and performed with Cora in the Swiss group Nimal. He was replaced in Curlew by Samm Bennett, who was also a member of Third Person, a trio which included Cora. Bennett is also drummer for the NYC jazz/rock band Chunk. Current bassist Ann Rupel plays in the group No Safety, along with Curlew guitarist Cochrane. And one of Curlew's more experimental releases, the 1993 Beautiful Western Saddle, featured singer Amy Denio and lyrics by poet Paul Haines. This diverse energy has kept Curlew on the creative cutting edge throughout its history, and any particular version of the band is filled with surprises and dynamic musical interactions. Among Curlew's standout recordings are the no-holds-barred 1986 recording Live in Berlin, 1996's Paradise, and their 1998 release, Fabulous Drop.

- William Tilland, All Music Guide