Paul Austerlitz: Journey

As a disciple of visionaries Bill Dixon and Milford Graves, whom he studied with at Bennington College, Paul Austerlitz became a heavyweight ethnomusicologist with a special interest in the African-based traditions of the Dominican Republic. Also an accomplished bass clarinetist and free-blowing improviser, Austerlitz explores the connections between Africa and Cuba on the traditional Yoruban number “Bara Súwà Yo,” and between merengue and bebop on Charlie Parker’s “Ornithology” and Sonny Rollins’ “East Broadway Rundown” (which he dubs “East Broadway Merengue”). An intriguing musical journey.

Originally Published March 1, 2009