In 1967, in an effort launched by reading the obituary of John Coltrane, I began to immerse myself in jazz with important guideposts being the books Black Music by Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones), Four Lives In The BeBop Business by A.B. Spellman and As Serious As Your Life by Val Wilmer. Denis Charles was featured in Wilmer's book and appeared as an important figure in the others. My ears led the search and Denis' sound from records by Cecil Taylor, Roswell Rudd, and Steve Lacy became deeply imprinted. A few months after moving to NYC in 1979, I paid a visit to drummer Mark E Miller's building on E. 7th St, where I would soon be living. There in front, chatting with Miller was Denis himself! I was awestruck - a living legend, one of my sonic heroes. Denis, as always, was sweet and humble - he lived across the street and we soon became friends. More time passed and I began to acquire the ability to book infrequent gigs of my own and Denis and I began an informal trio with bassist Jay Oliver with performances at Cub 57 and Ali's Alley.
After Jay moved to Europe, my old friend Steve Piccolo joined the group and we were scheduled to play Soho's Performing Garage. Our "book" was a set of simple core gestures designed to be catalysts for our improvising. Denis' Caribbean heritage was revealed in his groove yet expanded in all directions from his position at the crux of the free-jazz movement during its creative peak. Drumming for Denis always told a story filled with secret smiles and nods to friends and ancestors. Steve and I had both been students of Roswell Rudd and we absorbed his joy in ancient and future cultures, his methods, his sense of orchestration, and his insistence on the narrative arc. Whether consciously or not, we applied our learnings in our playing with Denis. The operative word for this trio was indeed 'transit' as we never again played in this format. Sadly, Denis passed from this plane in 1998. Steve and I continue our collaborations on many different fronts.
The time of covid engendered a variety of novel activities. I acquired a high-quality cassette deck and began the sometimes-tedious task of digitizing recordings from my archives with the thought of possibly releasing the better ones. I was excited to come across a document of this trio's brief existence. Though the sound quality on the cassette was quite challenging, I applied whatever forensic-audio techniques I had at my disposal to upgrade this audio to at least listenable levels which may now be heard, a sonic intersection between free jazz and no-wave.
1. Opening The Box 09:54
2. Tone Time 09:21
3. Careless 09:00
4. Flurries 09:55
5. Detrit R Us 05:09
6. Cornered 13:56
7. Lectric 06:55
8. Intercession 06:26
Elliott Sharp - soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones; fretless and electric guitars
Denis Charles - drums
Steve Piccolo - electric upright bass
All music by Elliott Sharp, Denis Charles, Steve Piccolo
Produced by Elliott Sharp
Recorded in concert at The Performing Garage, NYC, June 1981
All compositions published by zOaR Music - BMI
