The Life and Music of Don Pullen

 Shaftman Performance Hall

January 14, 2012 Jefferson Center celebrates the 70th birthday of one of the most extraordinary and innovative jazz pianists and composers of the 20th century, Roanoke’s native son, DON PULLEN. Pullen wove his roots in gospel, blues, rhythm & blues, the full spectrum of jazz, exploring through the avant-garde, playing inside and outside, and combining with African, Native American and Latin music. The beauty, power, stunning creativity and virtuosity of Pullen’s music mesmerized audiences worldwide. The tribute will be delivered by Jason Moran on piano, Christian McBride on bass, Nasheet Waits on drums, James Carter and Hamiet Bluiett, on saxophones with insights from Avery Brooks, actor and musician. The evening will include an ensemble concert celebrating what would have been his 70th birthday, a photo and art exhibit and the launch of a scholarship fund in his honor at the Music Lab.

Gabriel Pullen was born on December 25, 1941, and raised in Roanoke, Virginia.  Growing up in a musical family, he learned the piano at an early age, played with the choir in his local church, and was heavily influenced by his cousin, Clyde "Fats" Wright, who was a professional jazz pianist. Don sought to play in a very fast style and managed to develop his own unorthodox technique allowing him to execute extremely fast runs while maintaining the melodic line.  Throughout his career he played with his own organ trio in clubs and bars, worked as a self-taught arranger for record companies, and accompanied various singers including Arthur Prysock, Irene Reid, Ruth Brown, Jimmy Rushing, and Nina Simone.   Most notably, Pullen played with bassist Charles Mingus, and others who formed the last great Mingus group.

Jazz musician and composer, David Murray, might best explain his life:  “What Don Pullen had over most musicians, was a combination of the blues, his sense of melody, strong meter and his finesse.  Because he had so much soul and taste in his playing, even when he was experimenting, the music never sounded contrived.  It was powerful and sensitive, and it came off every time.  He had an independent coordination in his hands, which made it sound like there were ten people out there playing, and all had rhythms of their own.  He was very special.  He was just kind-of beamed up to the Creator, and he made it sound so natural.  Don Pullen created and spearheaded a new style of playing that then came to be fashionable.  He was just fantastic.  That’s why Mingus loved him so much. He made his band sound so good.  Pullen transcended even jazz.  He had his own world.  Don Pullen was the epitome of a selfless and genuine musician.”