Keith Tippett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Tippett
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Tippett in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Keith Graham Tippetts |
| Born | 25 August 1947 Bristol, England |
| Died | 14 June 2020 (aged 72) |
| Genres | Jazz, free jazz, free improvisation, pop, rock, progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 1969–2020 |
| Labels | RCA Victor, FMP, Ogun |
| Associated acts | King Crimson, Centipede, Julie Tippetts, Mujician, The Dedication Orchestra |
Keith Graham Tippetts (born August 25, 1947 – died June 14, 2020), known as Keith Tippett, was a British jazz pianist and composer. He was famous for his unique way of playing and creating music on the spot. His career lasted over 50 years. He played many types of music, including jazz-rock, progressive rock, and improvised music.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Keith Tippett was born in Southmead, Bristol, England. His father was a policeman and his mother was named Kitty. He was the oldest of three children.
As a child, he learned to play many instruments. These included the piano, church organ, cornet, and tenor horn. When he was 14, he started his first band called KT Trad Lads. They played traditional jazz music. Later, he formed a modern jazz trio in Bristol. They often performed at the Dugout Club.
Music Career Highlights
In 1967, Keith moved to London to become a full-time musician. He worked small jobs while playing in jazz clubs. He also went to a jazz course in Wales. There, he met other musicians like Elton Dean and Marc Charig. They decided to start a band together.
The Keith Tippett Sextet
His band, the Keith Tippett Sextet, got a regular job playing at the 100 Club in Oxford. This led to a record deal. They released two albums: You Are There... I Am Here (1970) and Dedicated to You, but You Weren't Listening (1971).
Centipede: A Big Band Project
After his sextet, Keith formed a huge band called Centipede. This band had 50 musicians! It included his wife, Julie Driscoll, and many other young British jazz and rock artists. Centipede recorded one double-album called Septober Energy in 1971. Even though it got a lot of attention, the album did not sell enough copies. It was too expensive to keep such a large band together.
Working with King Crimson
In 1970 and 1971, Keith played piano on three albums for the famous rock band King Crimson. These albums were In the Wake of Poseidon, Lizard, and Islands.
Smaller Groups and Solo Work
Keith then started working with smaller groups. One of these was Ovary Lodge, which included his wife Julie. They recorded two albums. Keith also played with many other musicians in the 1970s. He explored different styles like improvisational jazz and jazz-rock. Some of his collaborators included Stan Tracey, Robert Wyatt, and Elton Dean.
From 1979, Keith also began releasing many albums of his solo piano performances. His first solo album was The Unlonely Raindancer.
Mujician and Other Projects
In the late 1980s, Keith formed a quartet called Mujician. They played purely improvised jazz music. Mujician released six albums between 1990 and 2002. Keith also wrote music for movies and TV shows. He taught music at summer schools and continued to tour and record.
The Seedbank Orchestra
Starting in 1989, Keith created the Seedbank Orchestra (SO) in Bristol. This was a special group that allowed musicians of all skill levels to play together. It was a place where beginners, amateurs, and professionals could join a large ensemble. Keith wanted to bring all types of music together in a friendly environment. He believed music should be open to everyone, without strict rules.
Personal Life and Passing
Keith Tippett married singer Julie Driscoll in 1970.
In 2018, he had a heart attack and pneumonia. However, he recovered and returned to performing in 2019.
Keith Tippett passed away on June 14, 2020, at the age of 72.
Discography
Keith Tippett released many albums throughout his career, both as a leader and playing with other artists. Here are some examples of his work:
As leader
- You Are Here... I Am There (Polydor, 1970)
- Dedicated to You but You Weren't Listening (Vertigo, 1971)
- Septober Energy with Centipede (RCA 1971)
- Blueprint (RCA Victor, 1972)
- Couple in Spirit with Julie Tippett (EG, 1988)
- The Nine Dances of Patrick O'Gonogon (Discus, 2016)
As sideman
- With King Crimson:
- In the Wake of Poseidon (Island, 1970)
- Lizard (Island, 1970)
- Islands (Island, 1971)
- With Mujician:
- The Journey (Cuneiform, 1990)
- Poem About the Hero (Cuneiform, 1994)
- With Elton Dean:
- Oh! for the Edge (Ogun, 1976)
- With Julie Tippetts:
- Sunset Glow (Utopia, 1975)
See also
In Spanish: Keith Tippett para niños
