Jazz: Anthony Braxton at 80 is still awe-inspiring

Saxophonist-bandleader-visionary Anthony Braxton turns 80 on June 4, and if you’re not familiar with his mesmerizing sound world, that likely has more to do with a media obsessed with superficiality than Braxton’s prowess.

The sheer volume of his output, going back to the 1960s, can be intimidating, but if you’re willing to greet his music with an open mind, you may find yourself a “friendly experiencer,” as Braxton likes to refer to his devoted following.

A slew of previously unreleased and new recordings available from Braxton’s ever-growing universe has appeared recently. Recorded in 1985, there was a series of double CDs chronicling his visit to England with what turned out to be one of the most compelling quartets of late 20th-century music. (He was joined by pianist Marilyn Crispell, bassist Mark Dresser and percussionist Gerry Hemingway). These difficult-to-obtain sets exposed a group bursting with energy and inventiveness. The Burning Ambulance Music label has unearthed several hours of previously unavailable recordings from that same tour, and it’s a revelation.

“Quartet (England)” showcases four artists operating at a high level of communication. Braxton’s imaginative sax solos levitate above the dynamic rhythm section, and Crispell’s responses are beguiling. It’s magnificent music that pays off with close listening. The entire program is available digitally as of Braxton’s birthday, and you can sample a lot of it at anthonybraxton-bam.bandcamp.com.

Braxton demonstrates his willingness to forge paths with artists not necessarily associated with the jazz community on “live at pioneer works, 26 october 2023,” just released on the historically adventurous ESP-Disk label. The recording is the result of his latest collaboration with the noisy duo Wolf Eyes, known for stunning blasts of electronic goop. Braxton matches Wolf Eyes’ intensity as the three produce euphoric (to my ears) and droning abstract sound paintings that likely won’t remind you of anything else in your record collection.

Also available in time for Braxton’s 80th is his latest opera, “Trillium X” (PMP). A live and studio performance of the work in its entirety is spread out across eight CDs. I am in awe of the entire thing. Let’s hope Braxton makes it to 100, and all his singular, utopian ideas come to fruition.

And here’s a roundup of jazz performances this month:

Live jazz in Denver in June

The Jack Dunlevie Trio plays Leonard Bernstein at Nocturne on June 1, 8 and 15. … Pianist Cyrus Chestnut appears at Dazzle June 5-7. … There’s a Free Improv Jam scheduled for the second and last Saturday of every month at Denver’s Chaos Bloom Theater, 70 S. Broadway. … The Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience features Christian McBride, Takuya Kuroda, Benny Green, Brian Lynch and more, June 26-29; get the schedule at jazzaspensnowmass.org. … Big Bad Voodoo Daddy appears at the Boulder Theater on June 18. … Harold Lopez-Nussa presents “Timba a la Americana” at Dazzle June 17-18. … Vocalist Jenna McLean brings her quintet to Nocturne June 21 and 28. … Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass plays the Paramount Theatre on June 22. (Keep in mind that Alpert played Red Rocks in 1967; that’s a phenomenal run.)