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The Cosmosamatics can be viewed as an all-star band. The leading figures are Sonny Simmons and Michael Marcus. Both have a strong background, careers paved by countless historical associations, as detailed in many a page of this web site…
The Cosmosamatics were formed in 2000, but are the fruit of a partnership established in 1981. As Michael insists in the liner notes to their album Zetrons (Not Two, 2005) : “We are a band – which is rare in jazz today. Sonny and I have been collaborating for years to keep the tradition alive of being a band”, and he cites these well-known aggregations : the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the World Saxophone Quartet. Men that got to play together for decades. Sound is something to be built, through years of musical loyalty. |
 ©Janet Janke |
 ©Janet Janke |
Credits should also be given to the brilliant musicians who completed the line-up over the years : drummers Jay Rosen and Art Lewis (but the following names also guested the drum chair : Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Nicholson, Larry Hancock, Cliffor Barbaro…); bassists William Parker, Curtis Lundy, Masa Kamaguchi, Gildas Scouarnec, Tarus Mateen, Peter Herbert; and special contributors James Carter and Karen Borca. |
They achieve massive popularity in Europe which they tour frequently (check out the News topic !), as evidenced by live albums (most notably Three, Live at Banlieues Bleues and Zetrons) and support from european labels as prestigious as Soul Note, Not Two (to which they committed their latest efforts, Reeds and Birds, Zetrons, Free Within The Law) or Bleu Regard.
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Visit Michaelmarcusjazz.com, the official Michael Marcus web site |
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2008
- FREE WITHIN THE LAW Free Within The Law - Afro Funk - Janet's Moods - May-Lee-High-Young (Beautiful Ocean) - Morning Daffodil - Ginger Root - The Pollish Rally. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn. Michael Marcus : tenor sax, Bb clarinet. Peter Herbert : bass. Art Lewis : drums. Rec. nov.06 in Krakow. |
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2005
- ZETRONS Crossroads Out ! - Road Dogg - Mingus Mangus - Serene - Shining Winds - Harmonious Beautious - Dance Of The Zetrons - 12 Seasons Of Love. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn. Michael Marcus : tenor sax, Bb clarinet. Maza Kamaguchi : bass. Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. nov.04 in Krakow, Amsterdam and Vienna. |
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2005
- MAGNITUDES Uugmoanius - Avant-Garde Destruct (take 1) - Thank U Bird (take 1) - Tonal Magnitudes (take 1) - 12 Seasons Of Love - Telergy - Tonal Magnitudes (take 2) - Urban Nitemare - Thank U Bird (take 2) - Avant-Garde Destruct (take 2) - 'Round Midnight. Sonny Simmons : alto sax. Michael Marcus : baritone sax, saxello, bass clarinet. Tarus Mateen : bass. Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. march 03 in Milano. |
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2004
- REEDS & BIRDS Intoxicating Galaxies - Cheryl (take 1) - Drifting On A Reed - 49th Street Stomp - Ballad Medley : Autumn In New York / In A Sentimental Mood - Bird Feathers - Cheryl (take 2) - Avant-Garde Destruct. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn, vocals. Michael Marcus : tenor sax, saxello, bass clarinet. Clifford Barbaro, Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. apr.04 in Prague and sep.04 in New York. |
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2004
- THREE Futura - Tonal Magnitudes - Cool Burn - Bring On The Funk - 12 Seasons Of Love - Avant-Garde Destruct - 'Round Midnight - Requiem For Anne Frank. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn. Michael Marcus : baritone sax, saxello. Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. jan.02 in New York and march 03 in Amsterdam. |
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2003
- LIVE AT BANLIEUES BLEUES Avant-Garde Destruct - Quasar - 12 Seasons Of Love - Telergy - Aubade. Sonny Simmons : alto sax. Michael Marcus : baritone sax, saxello. Tarus Mateen : bass. Andrew Cyrille : drums. Rec. march 03 in Pantin. |
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2002
- II Fusionanatomy - Daughters Of Isis - Echoes Of Eric Dolphy - Queen Bee - Rio Bahia - Cosmic Curtis. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn. Michael Marcus : soprano sax, straight tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute. Curtis Lundy : bass. Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. aug.01 in New York. |
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2001
- THE COSMOSAMATICS Quasar - Mingus Mangus - Near - Beyond The Inner East - New Line Groove. Sonny Simmons : alto sax, English horn. Michael Marcus : soprano sax, straight tenor sax, bass flute. James Carter : bass saxophone. Karen Borca : bassoon. Samir Chatterjee : tablas. William Parker : bass. Jay Rosen : drums. Rec. feb.01 in New York. |
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