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Malachi Favors
Malachi Favors.jpg
Background information
Born (1927-08-22)August 22, 1927
Lexington, Mississippi, U.S.
Died January 30, 2004(2004-01-30) (aged 76)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Double bass
Years active 1950–2000
Associated acts Art Ensemble of Chicago

Malachi Favors (August 22, 1927 – January 30, 2004) was an American jazz musician. He was best known as a bassist for the famous group called the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

About Malachi Favors

Malachi Favors was born on August 22, 1927, in Lexington, Mississippi. He started playing the double bass when he was 15 years old. After finishing high school, he began playing music professionally.

Favors played many instruments, but his main one was the double bass. He also played the electric bass guitar, banjo, zither, and gong.

Early Career and Jazz Styles

In his early career, Malachi Favors played with famous jazz musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard. By 1965, he helped start an important music organization called the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). He was also a member of Muhal Richard Abrams' Experimental Band.

Favors added the name "Maghostut" to his full name. So, he is often known as "Malachi Favors Maghostut." He was known for playing different styles of jazz, including bebop, hard bop, and especially free jazz. Free jazz is a style where musicians have a lot of freedom to improvise and create new sounds.

Working with Other Musicians

Malachi Favors learned a lot from Chicago bassist Wilbur Ware. His first known recording was in 1953 with tenor saxophonist Paul Bascomb. He also made an album with Chicago pianist Andrew Hill in 1957.

In 1966, Favors started working with Roscoe Mitchell. This group eventually became the well-known Art Ensemble of Chicago. Favors also played with many other artists outside of this group. Some of these musicians included Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp, and Dewey Redman.

Important Albums

Malachi Favors made some important recordings during his career. These include:

  • Natural & Spiritual (1978) – This was an album where he played solo bass.
  • Sightsong (1975) – This album featured duets with Muhal Richard Abrams.
  • Color Me Cairo (1995) – He played on this album with Roman Bunka (who played the oud, a string instrument). This album won an award in Germany.

Malachi Favors passed away in January 2004, at the age of 76. He died from pancreatic cancer.

Discography

As leader or co-leader

  • Natural & Spiritual (AECO, 1978)
  • 2 x 4 (Southport, 1999) with Tatsu Aoki
  • Live at Last (Rogueart, 2006)

With Art Ensemble of Chicago

Malachi Favors played on many albums with the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Some of these include:

  • Sound (1966)
  • A Jackson in Your House (1969)
  • Les Stances a Sophie (1970)
  • Nice Guys (1978)
  • Urban Bushmen (1980)
  • The Third Decade (1984)
  • Ancient to the Future (1987)
  • Dreaming of the Masters Suite (1990)
  • Tribute to Lester (2001)

As sideman

Malachi Favors also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) on many recordings with other artists. Some of these include albums with:

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