Azimuth was a British jazz trio, active from 1977 through the early 2000s. ^[1]

Azimuth began as a duo composed of vocalist Norma Winstone and her husband, pianist John Taylor. ^[2] In the mid-1970s, Taylor contacted several record companies with the goal of recording a duo album, but during his appointment with ECM Records founder Manfred Eicher, the latter suggested that they form a trio with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and Azimuth was born. ^{[2] [3]} The group's first release was a 1977 ECM album; two further albums quickly followed, with later albums coming in 1985 and 1995. ^{[4] [5]}

Wheeler died in 2014, ^[6] and Taylor died the following year. ^[2]

Critic John Fordham wrote that the group conjured "a unique chemistry of low-key free improvisation, sometimes wordless vocals, jazz and classical music, and Taylor compositions that often sounded becalmed yet simmering with urgent implications." ^[2] Richard Williams of The Times described them as "one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced of all contemporary chamber jazz groups." ^[7]

Discography

• Azimuth ( ECM, 1977)
• The Touchstone (ECM, 1979)
• Départ (with Ralph Towner) (ECM, 1980)

(above three titles reissued as a 3 CD-set in 1994)

• Azimuth '85 (ECM, 1985)
• How It Was Then... Never Again (ECM, 1995)

In popular culture

Drake's song " IDGAF" from his 2023 album For All The Dogs samples Azimuth's song The Tunnel from their 1977 debut album Azimuth. ^{[8] [9]}

References

Citations

General references

• Azimuth at Allmusic