'Nobody sounded like that': jazz guitarist Bill Frisell fondly remembers his bandmate Ginger Baker and how his 'gruffness was more of a protective shell'
released a jazz trio album that represented a radical but welcome departure from the heavy blues rock he had pioneered as a member of Cream. Yet the record —, grew up playing jazz and had always considered himself to be a jazz musician at his core, even as he came to epitomize the brash freedom of rock & roll. Bassist Charlie Haden and guitarist Bill Frisell, who had long admired Baker’s nimble rhythmic approach rounded out the Ginger Baker Trio.
But then we set up and we start playing, and suddenly it was just like three guys playing, and he just started smiling. It’s just incredible what music does. However many years ago this was — 25 years, I can’t believe it’s that long — it was just this instant bonding; an understanding [and] the way music just breaks down any kind of barrier. And there was this joy. We were really just playing, picking tunes like “Straight No Chaser.” And Ginger was so generous.
A couple of years ago, I saw a concert of Cream from around the time that I saw them when I was in high school. So much stuff was happening at that time, the way boundaries were being crossed, and things were opening up, and it just struck me — the chemistry between those three guys, the way they were pushing up against each other, or trusting each other. I’m just talking about within the music. They would take these chances and jump way out.
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