Francois Tusques
Photo by Guy Le Querrec
"We'll remember Clifford"
François Tusques, a native of Nantes in Brittany, was one of the very first, if not the first jazz musician to mix elements of Celtic music in his jazz. He was also the companion of many US free jazzers expatriated in Paris, including Clifford Thornton. Thornton (1936 -1983) was a decisive player who brought many African elements into his music. As a salute to Thornton, Tusques has assembled the group playing together for the first time at Minnesota sur Seine. Special guest Douglas Ewart was born in Jamaica. He has been president of the AACM in Chicago. Ewart has played with Muhal Richard Abrams, George Lewis, Anthony Braxton, Von Freeman, George Lewis, Leo Smith, Cecil Taylor, Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell. Douglas Ewart has initiated many musical ensembles of note, including Douglas Ewart and Inventions, Clarinet Choir, Nyabinghi Drum Choir, Quadrasect, and Elements.
