Derek Bailey

I just learned that great free improvising guitarist Derek Bailey died this Christmas. Bailey was a fearless improviser who all but single-handedly invented a new vocabulary for the guitar and for free improvisation in general. He was a tireless performer, founder and CEO of his own independent record label (Incus Records) and all-around catalyst for so much good in the international world of creative music.

My record Grendel was an audio "thank you" to Derek for his deep inspiration and effect on my own music.

Please check out his Bailey's book, Improvisation: It's Nature and Practice in Music and Ben Watson's recent (if not controversial) biography, Derek Bailey and the Story of Free Improvisation not to mention any of his hundreds (literally) of recordings.

Cheers mate and say "hi" to Albert Ayler for me.