VIA PRESS RELEASE | “The musical document you are about to enjoy came as a ‘surprise’ to me. I did not realize (at the time) the depth of the music we played and how our lives would become intertwined as time passed. I am overjoyed to realize this today. Music is an ongoing experience. It traces our lives here and beyond. It is also true of the friends and fellow travelers we meet on the way. The period of our lives that this occurred in can only be explained in the simplest of ways. I (for one) am so happy that this music was played and documented. Experience it in the ‘spirit of the times.’”
—William Hooker, August 2024
Featuring William Hooker (drums), David S. Ware (tenor saxophone), and Alan Braufman (alto saxophone), this recording captures a rare and electrifying moment in time. Recorded live at the New York Jazz Museum on January 14, 1977, the album has been newly mastered by Joe Lambert and released for the first time on March 28, 2025 via Valley of Search (Alan Braufman, Patricia Brennan, Masma Dream World).
This album was recorded at a pivotal moment in each musician’s career. William Hooker, already recognized as one of the most innovative drummers on the free jazz scene, was forging new paths with his fiercely creative compositions and collaborations.
David S. Ware was on the verge of debuting as a bandleader with Birth of a Being (Hathut), foreshadowing the spiritually charged and deeply expressive playing that would define his influential career. And Alan Braufman had recently released his debut album, Valley of Search (India Navigation), establishing himself as a key figure in the loft jazz movement.
Together, they created a dynamic, raw expression of New York City free jazz at its purest—urgent, unfiltered, and brimming with the energy of the era. The trio’s collective histories include collaborations with Cecil Taylor, Matthew Shipp, Cooper-Moore, William Parker, and Thurston Moore, underscoring their deep roots in the avant-garde jazz tradition.
William Hooker and Alan Braufman continue to perform and release music, bringing their uncompromising artistry to audiences worldwide. David S. Ware, who passed away in 2012, left an enduring legacy as one of the most revered saxophonists of his generation. This recording stands as a testament to their shared vision and a vital piece of jazz history.
