The US bassist and composer was 90 years old
US jazz double bassist and composer Barre Phillips died on 28 December at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, US. He was 90 years old.
Phillips studied with San Francisco Symphony assistant principal bassist Charles Siani and played in the avant-garde jazz scene of New York City in the 1960s, working with artists including Paul Bley, George Russell, Archie Shepp, and Jimmy Giuffre, as well as performing with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. He then emigrated to Europe in 1967, living most of his life in the south of France, before returning to the US.
Phillips performed as a member of The Trio during the 1970s, with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra in the 1980s and 1990s, and collaborated with filmmaker Robert Kramer for 20 years. He served as president of the International Society of Bassists from 2001–2003, and founded the European Improvisation Center in 2014.
His 1968 recording of solo bass improvisations may be considered the first solo bass record – released as Unaccompanied Barre in the UK, Journal Violone in the US, and Bass Barre in France – while his 1971 record Music From Two Basses with Dave Holland may be regarded as the first record of improvised double bass duets. Phillips’ most recent recording, Face à Face, was released in 2022.
Phillips died surrounded by members of his family.
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