Archie Shepp
Performer
b. 1937. American saxophonist in the Free Jazz tradition.
Archie Shepp is a significant figure in free jazz and avant-garde jazz, known for politically charged, soulful playing.
38 products
YASMINA A BLACK WOMAN
BYG
Vinyl
$32.99
Feb 24, 2023
Pressed on 180-gram white marbled vinyl, this premium edition revives a historic 1969 Paris session from the iconic BYG/Actuel catalog-an essential statement from a visionary musician and activist, now reissued in it's best quality ever. Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, it features a new and insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. The LP edition presents the original gatefold sleeve and artwork meticulously recreated with a sleek matte laminate finish, along with a double-sided insert. Awarded Audiophile Album of the Month by Jazzwise, March 2023, and hailed as "A must for Shepp fans as well as free-jazz aficionados" by Kevin Whitlock - Jazzwise. Among the many African-American jazz musicians who arrived in Paris in the late '60s, saxophonist Archie Shepp was arguably the most influential. Still residing in the French capital today, he became a key figure in the European jazz scene, forging strong collaborations with artists like German pianist Joachim Kuhn. Archie Shepp recorded several landmark albums for BYG, with Yasmina, A Black Woman standing out as one of the most compelling-both musically and intellectually. The title track is a powerful tribute to a "soul sister" with an Afro-Arabic name, signaling a deliberate shift away from Eurocentric narratives. Shepp's impassioned performance is matched by an extraordinary lineup that bridges hard bop and the avant-garde. Saxophonist Hank Mobley and drummer Philly Joe Jones-two hard bop legends-share the stage with boundary-pushing soloists like pianist Dave Burrell, trumpeter Lester Bowie, and saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell, both of whom were members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. The result? A true jazz supergroup. This remarkable ensemble delivers a dynamic repertoire that reflects Shepp's deep engagement with the entire spectrum of Black American music, from blues and swing to free improvisation, while embracing African rhythms and post-colonial themes. The album radiates defiant energy yet also reveals moments of profound romanticism and tenderness-a testament to Shepp's artistry and vision.
BLASE
BYG
Vinyl
$32.99
Jan 27, 2023
Pressed on 180-gram white vinyl, this premium edition revives a historic 1969 Paris session from the iconic BYG/Actuel catalog-an essential statement from a visionary musician and activist, now reissued in it's best quality ever. Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, it features a new and insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. The LP edition presents the original gatefold sleeve and artwork meticulously recreated with a sleek matte laminate finish, along with a double-sided insert. Awarded Audiophile Album of the Month by Jazzwise, March 2023, and hailed as "A must for Shepp fans as well as free-jazz aficionados" by Kevin Whitlock - Jazzwise. Florida-born saxophonist, composer, poet, actor, and playwright Archie Shepp was one of the most powerful voices of politicized Black culture in the late '60s-a time of radical thought and social upheaval. After relocating to Paris, Shepp recorded a series of groundbreaking albums, including Blase, which explored themes of freedom, racial equality, and the deep roots of African-American music. Blending gospel, blues, and avant-garde jazz, the album featured the mesmerizing vocals of Jeanne Lee and members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, creating a powerful fusion of jazz, poetry, and radical politics. Blase defies categorization, moving fluidly across eras and influences-what Shepp called "pre-jazz" as much as "free jazz." From a graceful reprise of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Lady to the propulsive rhythms of Touareg, inspired by his transformative experience at the 1969 Pan-African Festival in Algiers, Shepp's vision was always expansive. Black music has a dynamic relationship with it's past-what was once old becomes new again, resonating across generations. If Blase teaches us anything, it's that younger artists will always feel the spirit of their predecessors, both in life and beyond. As Duke Ellington put it: "All God's chillun got rhythm."
THERE'S A TRUMPET IN MY SOUL
ORG MUSIC
Vinyl
$32.49
Jun 30, 2023
There's A Trumpet In My Soul is the 1975 album from avant-garde tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, recorded in April of the same year at Sound Ideas Studio in New York City. The record is comprised of two three-part suites and the 10 minute "Down In Brazil," among which are two vocal parts and a poem recitation. The outing finds Shepp, then in his musical prime, backed by a stellar group of players that grows to 13 pieces at times. This crew includes Ray Draper (tuba), Charles Greenlee (trombone) Dave Burrell (piano), and Jimmy Garrison (bass), among others. For the first time since 1979, the record is being reissued on vinyl. This latest addition to Org Music's Freedom Records reissue series was mastered for vinyl by Dave Gardner and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.
ARCHIE SHEPP - POEM FOR MALCOLM
BYG
Vinyl
$32.49
Jul 19, 2024
Pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, this edition revives the historic 1969 Paris session by the legendary American saxophonist-vocalist-intellectual, capturing his deep anguish at the loss of a civil rights icon. Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, it features the original gatefold sleeve & artwork faithfully reproduced, along with an insert containing an insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre In a long and distinguished career Archie Shepp has made a number of important political statements, speaking out boldly on racial inequality and oppression in America, and Poem For Malcolm has pride of place in his discography. Recorded at the tailend of the 60s after the saxophonist had relocated to Paris, the album features an all-star cast of contributors that includes U.S hard bop hero Hank Mobley as well as Art Ensemble Of Chicago bassist Malachi Favors, pianist Burton Greene, and French drummer Claude Delcloo. While embracing the dynamic, turbulent energy of the avant-garde or 'New Thing' the players did not entirely break from 'tradition' and a reprise of 'Oleo', one of the enduring post-bop themes of 'saxophone colossus' Sonny Rollins, is a highlight of the album. But first and foremost Shepp's towering personality dominates proceedings. The title track is a searing recital of a text he wrote to mark the passing of his role model Malcolm X that fully conveys the grief over the death of a visionary who sought to bring both dignity and autonomy to people of colour the world over. This remastered version of the album offers the opportunity to experience Shepp's powerful poetry and the artistry of a transatlantic band at the cutting edge of post-war improvised music, all in the finest audio quality. The words and sounds have lost none of their appeal.
POEM FOR MALCOLM
BYG
CD
$14.49
Jul 19, 2024
This deluxe edition features the historic 1969 Paris session by the renowned American saxophonist-vocalist-intellectual, capturing his deep anguish at the loss of a civil rights icon. Restored and remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, the release comes in a deluxe gatefold digi-sleeve with a matte laminate finish, echoing the vibe of the original LP. Also included is a 16-page booklet with liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre and a printed inner wallet. In a long and distinguished career Archie Shepp has made a number of important political statements, speaking out boldly on racial inequality and oppression in America, and Poem For Malcolm has pride of place in his discography. Recorded at the tailend of the 60s after the saxophonist had relocated to Paris, the album features an all-star cast of contributors that includes U.S hard bop hero Hank Mobley as well as Art Ensemble Of Chicago bassist Malachi Favors, pianist Burton Greene, and French drummer Claude Delcloo. While embracing the dynamic, turbulent energy of the avant-garde or 'New Thing' the players did not entirely break from 'tradition' and a reprise of 'Oleo', one of the enduring post-bop themes of 'saxophone colossus' Sonny Rollins, is a highlight of the album. But first and foremost Shepp's towering personality dominates proceedings. The title track is a searing recital of a text he wrote to mark the passing of his role model Malcolm X that fully conveys the grief over the death of a visionary who sought to bring both dignity and autonomy to people of colour the world over. This remastered version of the album offers the opportunity to experience Shepp's powerful poetry and the artistry of a transatlantic band at the cutting edge of post-war improvised music, all in the finest audio quality. The words and sounds have lost none of their appeal.
BLASE
BYG
CD
$14.49
Jan 27, 2023
This premium edition revives a historic 1969 Paris session from the iconic BYG/Actuel catalog-an essential statement from a visionary musician and activist, now reissued in it's best quality ever. Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, it features a new and insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. The CD edition comes in a deluxe digi-sleeve that captures the essence of the original LP, complete with a 16-page booklet and printed inner wallet. Awarded Audiophile Album of the Month by Jazzwise, March 2023, and hailed as "A must for Shepp fans as well as free-jazz aficionados" by Kevin Whitlock - Jazzwise. Florida-born saxophonist, composer, poet, actor, and playwright Archie Shepp was one of the most powerful voices of politicized Black culture in the late '60s-a time of radical thought and social upheaval. After relocating to Paris, Shepp recorded a series of groundbreaking albums, including Blase, which explored themes of freedom, racial equality, and the deep roots of African-American music. Blending gospel, blues, and avant-garde jazz, the album featured the mesmerizing vocals of Jeanne Lee and members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, creating a powerful fusion of jazz, poetry, and radical politics. Blase defies categorization, moving fluidly across eras and influences-what Shepp called "pre-jazz" as much as "free jazz." From a graceful reprise of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Lady to the propulsive rhythms of Touareg, inspired by his transformative experience at the 1969 Pan-African Festival in Algiers, Shepp's vision was always expansive. Black music has a dynamic relationship with it's past-what was once old becomes new again, resonating across generations. If Blase teaches us anything, it's that younger artists will always feel the spirit of their predecessors, both in life and beyond. As Duke Ellington put it: "All God's chillun got rhythm."
YASMINA A BLACK WOMAN
BYG
CD
$14.49
Feb 24, 2023
This premium edition revives a historic 1969 Paris session from the iconic BYG/Actuel catalog-an essential statement from a visionary musician and activist, now reissued in it's best quality ever. Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins, it features a new and insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. The CD edition comes in a deluxe digi-sleeve that captures the essence of the original LP, complete with a 16-page booklet and printed inner wallet. Awarded Audiophile Album of the Month by Jazzwise, March 2023, and hailed as "A must for Shepp fans as well as free-jazz aficionados" by Kevin Whitlock - Jazzwise. Among the many African-American jazz musicians who arrived in Paris in the late '60s, saxophonist Archie Shepp was arguably the most influential. Still residing in the French capital today, he became a key figure in the European jazz scene, forging strong collaborations with artists like German pianist Joachim Kuhn. Archie Shepp recorded several landmark albums for BYG, with Yasmina, A Black Woman standing out as one of the most compelling-both musically and intellectually. The title track is a powerful tribute to a "soul sister" with an Afro-Arabic name, signaling a deliberate shift away from Eurocentric narratives. Shepp's impassioned performance is matched by an extraordinary lineup that bridges hard bop and the avant-garde. Saxophonist Hank Mobley and drummer Philly Joe Jones-two hard bop legends-share the stage with boundary-pushing soloists like pianist Dave Burrell, trumpeter Lester Bowie, and saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell, both of whom were members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. The result? A true jazz supergroup. This remarkable ensemble delivers a dynamic repertoire that reflects Shepp's deep engagement with the entire spectrum of Black American music, from blues and swing to free improvisation, while embracing African rhythms and post-colonial themes. The album radiates defiant energy yet also reveals moments of profound romanticism and tenderness-a testament to Shepp's artistry and vision.
LOVER MAN
MUSIC ON VINYL
Vinyl
$44.49
Nov 01, 2024
180-gram black vinyl. "Lover Man" by the Archie Shepp Quartet featuring Annette Lowman was originally released in 1989. For this release, tenor saxophonist Shepp was joined by pianist Dave Burrell, bassist Herman Wright, drummer Stephen McCraven, and vocals by Annette Lowman. It's a diverse album with the title track featuring Lowman's warm vocals and Shepp's tenor in the background, the band's jazzy swings version of Duke Ellington's "Squeeze Me," and 8 other pieces. This expanded edition of "Lover Man" includes two tracks "Margy Pargy" and "Tribute To Bessie Smith," which were previously only available on CD.
LIVE AT THE PAN-AFRICAN FESTIVAL
BYG
CD
$14.49
Nov 29, 2024
CD DELUXE EDITION - CD digi-sleeve echoes the vibe of the original LP & includes a 16-page booklet & printed inner bag - New & insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. 55th Anniversary Remastered Edition of Archie Shepp's iconic Live at the Panafrican Festival... 'Live At The Panafrican Festival' is one of the most thought-provoking entries in Archie Shepp's sprawling discography precisely because of the pivotal moment in time it captures. Archie Shepp has made many Afrocentric statements in his long distinguished career but this meeting with Algerian and Touareg musicians in 1969 ranks among his greatest artistic achievements. The backdrop was the inaugural Pan African Festival Of Culture that took place in Algiers in July 1969 in order to promote solidarity among African nations at a time when many were emerging from the yoke of colonialism and some were still fighting for freedom. Their struggle chimed with the Black Power movement in America, which the likes of Archie Shepp vocally supported. Accompanied by compatriots, trombonist Grachan Moncur III, trumpeter Clifford Thornton, pianist Dave Burrell, double bassist Alan Silva and drummer Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp blows with both fiery, bluesy passion and soulful tenderness on lengthy pieces in which the Touareg percussion and double reed horns create dancing rhythms that regularly turn into a deep trance groove. Joining the two groups are poets Ted Joans and Don Lee, who deliver thought-provoking verse on the significance of the occasion, declaring emphatically that the African-Americans have come home to Africa, the land they consider to be the heartland of what is known as jazz. On the album are two concerts that took place at the front of the Ketchaoua mosque and at the Atlas Cinema. It swarms, it screams, it moves, it dances. Archie Shepp and the musicians are in the middle of a crowd in trance, creating a frenetic atmosphere which assures the listener a completely immersive adventure. This newly remastered version of 'Live At The Panafrican Festival' provides an opportunity to enjoy historic music that was in the vanguard of collaborations between African-American and African artists. Archie Shepp and the Touaregs embodied an ideal of unity across the Black Diaspora that still resonates strongly to this day.
LIVE AT THE PAN-AFRICAN FESTIVAL
BYG
Vinyl
$32.49
Nov 29, 2024
- Historic recording session in the vanguard of collaborations between African-American and African artists - Restored & remastered from the original tapes by Nick Robbins - New & insightful essay by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre - LP's original gatefold sleeve & artwork faithfully reproduced with classy matte laminate finish. 55th Anniversary Remastered Edition of Archie Shepp's iconic Live at the Panafrican Festival... 'Live At The Panafrican Festival' is one of the most thought-provoking entries in Archie Shepp's sprawling discography precisely because of the pivotal moment in time it captures. Archie Shepp has made many Afrocentric statements in his long distinguished career but this meeting with Algerian and Touareg musicians in 1969 ranks among his greatest artistic achievements. The backdrop was the inaugural Pan African Festival Of Culture that took place in Algiers in July 1969 in order to promote solidarity among African nations at a time when many were emerging from the yoke of colonialism and some were still fighting for freedom. Their struggle chimed with the Black Power movement in America, which the likes of Archie Shepp vocally supported. Accompanied by compatriots, trombonist Grachan Moncur III, trumpeter Clifford Thornton, pianist Dave Burrell, double bassist Alan Silva and drummer Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp blows with both fiery, bluesy passion and soulful tenderness on lengthy pieces in which the Touareg percussion and double reed horns create dancing rhythms that regularly turn into a deep trance groove. Joining the two groups are poets Ted Joans and Don Lee, who deliver thought-provoking verse on the significance of the occasion, declaring emphatically that the African-Americans have come home to Africa, the land they consider to be the heartland of what is known as jazz. On the album are two concerts that took place at the front of the Ketchaoua mosque and at the Atlas Cinema. It swarms, it screams, it moves, it dances. Archie Shepp and the musicians are in the middle of a crowd in trance, creating a frenetic atmosphere which assures the listener a completely immersive adventure. This newly remastered version of 'Live At The Panafrican Festival' provides an opportunity to enjoy historic music that was in the vanguard of collaborations between African-American and African artists. Archie Shepp and the Touaregs embodied an ideal of unity across the Black Diaspora that still resonates strongly to this day.
LIVE AT MASSY
LMLR
Vinyl
$42.99
Apr 22, 2023
FRENCH IMPORT (One Time Pressing, Jazz avant-garde Collector's item) - 1975 Iconic, Very Rare Live Recording from The Massy in France. Archie "Vernon" Shepp American is a tenor saxophonist, composer, dramatist, teacher, and pioneer of the free jazz movement, known not only for his creative improvisation and colorful sound but also for his Afrocentric approach to music. The National Endowment for the Arts named Shepp a Jazz Master in 2016. This double LP set, has deluxe packaging that will include an OBI strip, gatefold album jacket with two pockets, printed inner sleeves, original record labels and specialty color vinyl. 1st Opaque Pink & 2nd Opaque White Color Vinyl
COMPLETE LIVE IN ANTIBES
LMLR
Vinyl
$42.99
Apr 12, 2025
This Deluxe 2-LP package has the original restored cover artwork and rare archival photos from the 1970 Antibes performance. Plus newly commissioned essays on Shepp's legacy by author & music journalist Kevin Le Gendre. The Vinyl has been out of print and completely unavailable for 55 years. The recording is restored & remastered from the Original Master Tapes. Double vinyl package includes: OBI side strip, Gatefold album jacket with two pockets, two printed inner sleeves and Orange & Brown color vinyl.
NEW YORK CONTEMPORARY 5
Storyville Records
Vinyl
$39.99
Mar 01, 2015
Digitally remastered two CD set containing a pair of albums from the Folk singer, songwriter and musician. Geoff Muldaur's career began in the mid- '60s with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and was also a member of Paul Butterfield's band. He is also an accomplished guitarist, composer, and arranger. This two disc set from the vaults of Hightone Records includes THE SECRET HANDSHAKE, which was originally released in 1998 and features a cast of players including David Grisman, Hal Ketchum, Bill Rich, Amos Garrett, Dave Alvin and Van Dyke Parks. The album takes on a batch of his favorite Country and Blues tunes and adds a couple of originals to the mix. PASSWORD was originally released in 2000 where he was backed by David Lindley, Richard Greene and Kate & Anna McGarrigle. The songs themselves are a mix of classics, and originals.
SWING LOW
Frémeaux
CD
$20.99
Jun 01, 2001
In a concert given in Zurich in 1991, when it was then rare for Shepp to adopt the alto saxophone of his debuting years, this album offers a fine example of their repertory : a series of perfectly formed pieces, played with both the depth of experience and lucid distance. Going to the heart of the matter, the two musicians enable us to discover the very essence of jazz and Afro-American music in it's full glory.
Archie Shepp + The New York Contemporary Five ?- Vol. 2
Storyville Records
Vinyl
$39.99
May 15, 2020
Recorded at the end of a string of engagements throughout the Scandinavian countries, Archie Shepp + The New York Contemporary Five, Vol. 2 captures a group of young musicians seeking new musical ground and having found a welcoming environment far from home. In November of 1963, The New York Contemporary Five were consolidating avant-garde jazz as pioneered by Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor in Copenhagen and Sweden, as New York clubs had yet to fully embrace the style The quintet had formed specifically for their engagement at Montmartre in Copenhagen and would disband for some time immediately after. Vol. 2 documents a quintet of experimental artists that had yet to gain the worldwide recognition that they enjoy today, more than 50 years later. In this early era of The New York Contemporary Five, Archie Shepp, who embodied his musical generation's experimental nature, shows compelling technical prowess that runs alongside an early-stage knack for experimentation. From a modern perspective, the album sounds particularly indicative of the Archie Shepp that history has come to know as a central figure in the primary canon of avant-garde jazz.
The House I Live In
SteepleChase
Vinyl
$45.99
Jul 06, 2024
Saxophonist and playwright Archie Shepp (b. May 24, 1937 in Fort Lauderdale. FL) then 26 years old visited Copenhagen in the fall of 1963 as a member of the famed New York Contemporary Five.
Though Shepp at that time was the passionate practitioner of Free jazz, this recording in which he shared the bandstand with Sweden’s legendary baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin is something quite different from what one normally expects from Shepp in the 60s. It is Shepp playing straight jazz with audible enjoyment showing off his broad range of expression.
“The topnotch rhythm section is composed of the late Catalonian pianist Tete Montoliu and a pair of “young lions,” Swedish (Danish ed) drummer Alex Riel and Danish bassist Niels–Henning Ørsted Pedersen, seventeen years old when the recording was made. Montoliu’s swinging, straight–on solos are a breath of fresh air.” (Jack Bowers – AAJ) 180g Audiophile Vinyl
Goin' Home
SteepleChase
Vinyl
$45.99
Jan 15, 2019
When the album by this unlikely duet of Shepp and Parlan playing hymns and spirituals came out in 1978 for the first time, it was an instant success and has become a classic since then. It is a success of unique theme (by the producer Nils Winther) and of sheer strength of musical material and of performance executed with grace and sensitivity.
“...an overwhelming and emotional listening experience.” (Atlanta Journal Weekend) 180g Audiophile Vinyl