Extensions of McCOY TYNER
"Whoever brings a good deed will have a tenfold like it."
(HOLY QUARAN 6:161)
"And judging on that day will be just; so as for those whose good deeds are heavy; they are the successful."
(HOLY QUARAN 7:81)
The above passages from the Holy Koran are complimentary manifestations of the man and the music you are about to experience.
My first meeting with McCoy Tyner was at Shaw University in 1968 when Frazier Foster, Tom Price and myself produced Shaw University's first Black Arts Festival — The John Coltrane Memorial Concert. McCoy's LP "Time for Tyner" (Blue Note) summarizes that festival and the music, as well as the direction we presently find McCoy pursuing and expanding.
McCoy is a serene man — a man of Islam — and his "natural existence" is projected by the vibrations one receives when first meeting him and his family. His wife Aisha is receptive and responsive, and his three sons — Ishmael, Ibrahim and Nurudeem — are gracious and attentive.
I visited McCoy on a tranquil Saturday afternoon in order to make preliminary steps for the writing of these liner notes. We discussed McCoy's music from the perspective of Black people having their music delivered naturally and purely, as it only should be. During our conversation McCoy expressed his concern for the universality of Black Music and its nature — for only by virtue of the men and women who perform it does its survival depend. "I am the music I play; in trying to explain the direction of my music, I can only base it on the direction that I (McCoy Tyner) pursue in life. Music tells a story — it may summarize the past or re-direct the future. Compositions written and played by Black musicians are vehicles to express the struggles and sufferings of Black people."
As the conversation progressed, the Tyner family entered the living room, and the peacefulness and discipline communicated via McCoy's music immediately surrounded me. Aisha reflected, "The problem of drugs is also universal for Black people and these are the things we must be about in re-constructing the Black family. The Black Nation we seek to build will survive on the strength of the family structure and the Black Woman, as we bring more credence to her contributions along with the Black Men who are still overcoming obstacles that society makes prerequisites to manhood." The Tyner home houses a family. The family is content and devoted to one another. All praises to Allah.
Being raised in Philadelphia McCoy remembers the days of the struggling musicians who are still struggling and dying today. "There is a piano player in Philly who probably may never leave; however, his talents and directions had a great influence on my playing. I also give credit to the late Bud Powell and, of course, Monk for the influence they had on me."
McCoy's earliest performances were in Atlantic City with the late Lee Morgan. He remembers Lee as a jovial genius whom many people misunderstood even after his death. McCoy recalls, "On my birthday while performing with Lee in Atlantic City, he came to me joking, said Happy Birthday and gave me a big birthday card. Lee Morgan was a very conscientious and serious musician. However, his major concern was for Black people. We will all miss Lee."
After the early days with Lee Morgan, McCoy went on to work with Benny Golson and the Jazztet out of which came the original Killer Joe, then came the legendary communion with Elvin, Jimmy and the late John Coltrane which has been a major influence on the direction McCoy and all of the men who have played with him and without a doubt has become a universal concept for the mainstream of young artists. Freddie Waits, Eric Gravatt, Bennie Maupin, Gary Bartz, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Herbie Lewis have worked with McCoy over the last five years. McCoy continues to innovate and create musical directions for young innovators to further develop and articulate. Harold Mabern, Stanley Cowell, Doug Carn and Herbie Hancock will always make mention of the fact that McCoy has had influence on their directions as pianists.
Recently, McCoy travelled to the West Coast for a series of concerts and night club dates during which time he met Doug and Jean Carn. (*Two musicians who are in the mainstream of the new music.) In that meeting, Doug Carn commented that McCoy has had a great influence on his music and moreover his life style. "This naturalness is reflected in my music and Jean especially expresses this naturalness—one's innermost self — when singing the songs I write."
This LP, "Extensions," finds McCoy in the company of Wayne Shorter, Gary Bartz, Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones and Ron Carter, who need no introduction by virtue of the music they have played individually and collectively.
In speaking of Wayne Shorter and Garry Bartz, McCoy stated, "They have to be two of the most important horn players living today for the strength, technique and creativity they both express has been instrumental in making this particular recording date the success that it is." He went on to say that "Alice Coltrane is a very talented musician as well as being a Black woman; and the very personal communion that she shared with her late husband enriched her spiritual and musical potentials as John did for all musicians."
McCoy continued "Elvin Jones is not just a drummer—he is a musical spirit; his playing expresses the highest plateau of self expression, spiritual expression, as well as musical expression. I've always felt the spiritual intensity that Elvin expresses through his instrument." McCoy stated that he "chose Ron Carter for this date because he had always been creative as an artist in the recording studios and on concert dates. The dues Ron Carter has paid over the years are evidence of the man's ability."
Message from the Nile — The history of the Black man is deeply rooted in the experiences that transpired on and along the Nile river. Music was also an integral part of these experiences for Black people.
His Blessings — In every man's life a supreme being must be a foundation for all to come. If truth and wisdom are to ultimately prevail. Within the blessings of Almighty Allah are the reflections of my life and the time afforded me with John Coltrane.
The Wanderer — Being the human beings we are, we all seek alternatives and new directions in any walk of life. In this selection McCoy creates the mystery around a person wandering and then if fortunate enough, he or she may find oneself.
Survival Blues — Well, for Black people in America let the title of this selection be self-explanatory, if you please.
McCoy Tyner is a man of music. If you ever hear anything about him or from him, what you hear is usually at peace with the universe of which man is only a parcel. His playing and honesty will undoubtedly make him a giant among men, which history needs, for he truly will make further Expansions and Extensions to those already existing in his universality of life.
"And mix not up the truth with falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know."
(HOLY QUARAN 2:42)
I would like to dedicate this record to the late Lee Morgan for the respect McCoy Tyner had for the man and for his family, and may his spirit and all others with commendable directions live one All praises due to Allah.
—ANDRE PERRY
