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Azimuth (band)
Azimuth was a British jazz trio, active from 1977 through the early 2000s.[1] Azimuth began as a duo composed of vocalist Norma Winstone and her husband, pianist John Taylor.[2] In the mid-1970s, Taylor contacted several record companies with the goal of recording a duo album, but during his appointment with ECM Records founder Manfred Eicher, the latter suggested that they form a trio with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and Azimuth was born.[2][3] The group's first release was a 1977 ECM album; two further albums quickly followed, with later albums coming in 1985 and 1995.[4][5] Wheeler died in 2014,[6] and Taylor died the following year.[2] Critic John Fordham wrote that the group conjured "a unique chemistry of low-key free improvisation, sometimes wordless vocals, jazz and classical music, and Taylor compositions that often sounded becalmed yet simmering with urgent implications."[2] Richard Williams of The Times described them as "one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced of all contemporary chamber jazz groups."[7] Discography
(above three titles reissued as a 3 CD-set in 1994)
In popular cultureDrake's song "IDGAF" from his 2023 album For All The Dogs samples Azimuth's song The Tunnel from their 1977 debut album Azimuth.[8][9] References
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