His Last Public Performance
Leroy Jenkins
A brief solo number by the very original violinist
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An innovative jazz violinist whose avant-garde playing with the Revolutionary Ensemble in the 1970s made him well-known in the jazz world, Leroy Jenkins (1932-2007) was an innovator.
He was a member of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), worked with Anthony Braxton in the Creative Construction Company, toured with Cecil Taylor in 1987, and in 1974 recorded with tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman.
On Feb. 4, 2007, at a memorial for the recently deceased Dewey Redman, Leroy Jenkins was captured on film during a brief but heartfelt solo improvisation, sounding lyrical and quietly emotional.
Just 20 days later, Jenkins passed away, making this probably his final recording and live performance.
– Scott Yanow
