A Tribute by Billy Harper
Malachi Thompson was a trumpet player, composer and jazz advocate who was scheduled to perform with his band Africa Brass with Billy Harper at the 2006 Chicago Jazz Fest before leukemia took his life on July 16th. Well known tenor saxophonist Billy Harper had a long association with Malachi and has offered his thoughts with regard to the passing of his friend and fellow musician.
We met in New York during my early years (....maybe '69 or 1970's), and he expressed the desire to really get into some "real music". He was always ambitious and genuine in his approach to other human beings - musicians, or regular listeners. I loved performing with him because "he, himself was so genuine and authentic" - the real deal.
Statement for Malachi Thompson:
Many times those of us who deal with our everyday problems are sometimes blinded by "special souls" who seem to spur us on/ and push us to levels that we had never thought of achieving. Their relentless search for
creative excellence simply exceeds the quest to solve the "riddle of our everyday problems".
Brother Malachi was such a soul as this.
He tried musical endeavors in "a number of different and delightfully fresh ways". And these ideas came to him as part of his natural way of processing his creativity.
"FreeBop" is a term that sounds so "catchy", so "hip"!! But it is also "a true expression of how he felt about the music that he created. I would never think of a better term for "the music we played". It truly had elements of "freedom", and it was definitely rooted in "BeBop".
Malachi gave so much of himself, of his music, and to his community.
Rest in peace, Malachi, and continue your journey toward "the Light", Whom we know as "the source of your Creativity", and your existence - even beyond this world that we see now.
Continue your travel with the same "freedom, zest, and courage" that you did on this earthly plane.
Bless you ....and God welcome you home.
Billy Harper
Africa Brass with Billy Harper will be performing in tribute of Malachi Thompson at the Chicago Jazz
Fest - Petrillo Bandshell - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 1, 2006.
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