Charles Moore: Shattering Effect

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Trumpeter composer Charles Moore has been at the throbbing heart of the Detroit creative music scene since at least 1964, when he and John Sinclair started the experimental Artist’s Workshop. Saturday afternoon Charles Moore’s Shattering Effect will kick off the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival 1974 “New Jazz of Detroit” show. Charles grew up in Sheffield, Alabama and played party music, teenage dances, and the like as a young musician. He later attended Wayne State University and was a member of both the DC (Detroit Contemporary, not Dave Clark) 4 and DC5. Charles is a probing, ever-growing creative musician and his unique rhythmic concepts and ideas about ensemble playing have been a driving force with the CJQ. Listen to his compositions on either of their two Blue Note albums or their recent one, Location, on Strata.

You’ll find that Shattering Effect is pretty aptly named. It features four percussionists as well as a Fender bass player and a guitarist. These are: Drummer Bud Spangler who has, like Charles, been on the Detroit scene for many years. He’s worked with the CJQ since 1971 and has hosted WDET-FM’s popular and important “Jazz Today” show since 1968. Bud also serves as WDET’s Program Director and is the Executive Producer for Strata Records. Ronnie Johnson, who was the drummer with the second edition of the DC4, along with Charles and pianist Stan Cowell, in 1965. Drummer Victor Reeves who has seen a lot of cabaret action and has backed many singing groups including his sister Martha’s with the Vandellas. Percussionist Adam Rudolph, who has recorded with the CJQ (“Location”) and with Chicago saxophonist Maulawi (also available on Strata Records). He was a student of Charles’ at Oberlin University and he’s studied with African drummers in New York City. Ralph “Buzz” Jones, soprano sax, who has made a lot of sessions around town for Motown and Holland-Dozier-Holland. You’ll also hear Buzz with Eddie Nuccilli’s Plural Circle and with Ken Cox’s Guerilla Jam Band. Young brothers Herman (bass) and Skeet (guitar) Curry, both of whom have come up through Detroit’s hectic cabaret scène. The Curry Brothers will be heard on several forthcoming Strata releases. Shattering Effect tore ’em up at one of the Ann Arbor Parks Program’s Sunday concerts earlier in this summer. You’d do well to take a hint and prepare yourself for a shattering experience.

–Source: Ann Arbor Sun, Sept. 6th, 1974