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{{Short description|American jazz guitarist}}
{{Short description|American jazz guitarist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist
{{More citations needed|date=July 2024}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bern Nix
| image = Bern_Nix_Guitarist.jpg
| name = Bern Nix
| caption = Bern Nix, Les Gallery Clemente Soto Velez, February 2005
| image = Bern_Nix_Guitarist.jpg
| caption = Bern Nix, Les Gallery Clemente Soto Velez, February 2005
| birth_date = September 21, 1947
| birth_date = September 21, 1947
| birth_place = [[Toledo, Ohio]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Toledo, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2017|05|31| 1947|09|21}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2017|05|31| 1947|09|21}}
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| genre = [[Jazz]]
| genre = [[Avant-garde jazz]]
| occupation = Musician
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1975–2017
| years_active = 1975–2017
| label = [[Tompkins Square Records|Tompkins Square]]
| label = [[Tompkins Square Records|Tompkins Square]]
| associated_acts = [[Ornette Coleman]], [[James Chance and the Contortions]]
| associated_acts = [[Ornette Coleman]], [[James Chance and the Contortions]]
}}
}}


'''Bern Nix''' (September 21, 1947 – May 31, 2017)<ref>Nate Chinen, [http://wbgo.org/post/bern-nix-guitarist-steeped-ornette-colemans-harmolodic-language-dies-69 "Bern Nix, Guitarist Steeped in Ornette Coleman's Harmolodic Language, Dies at 69"], [[WBGO]], June 1, 2017.</ref> was an American [[jazz]] [[guitar]]ist. He recorded and performed with [[Ornette Coleman]] from 1975 to 1987, notably with guitarist Charlie Ellerbee in Coleman's [[Prime Time (band)|Prime Time]] group on their key recordings, including ''[[Dancing in Your Head]]'' and ''[[In All Languages]]'' in 1987. Nix was voted among the top ten jazz guitarists poll by ''[[Down Beat]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=9891#.UebGTY03uSo |title=Bern Nix @ All About Jazz |website=Musicians.allaboutjazz.com|access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref>
'''Bern Nix''' (September 21, 1947 – May 31, 2017)<ref>Nate Chinen, [http://wbgo.org/post/bern-nix-guitarist-steeped-ornette-colemans-harmolodic-language-dies-69 "Bern Nix, Guitarist Steeped in Ornette Coleman's Harmolodic Language, Dies at 69"], [[WBGO]], June 1, 2017.</ref> was an American [[jazz]] [[guitar]]ist. He is best known for recording and performing with [[Ornette Coleman]] from 1975 to 1987, notably with guitarist Charlie Ellerbee in Coleman's [[Prime Time (band)|Prime Time]] group on recordings including ''[[Dancing in Your Head]]'' and ''[[In All Languages]]''. Nix was voted among the top ten jazz guitarists in a poll by ''[[Down Beat]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 14, 2013 |title=Bern Nix @ All About Jazz |url=http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=9891#.UebGTY03uSo |url-status=dead |access-date=June 5, 2017 |website=Musicians.allaboutjazz.com}}</ref>{{When?|date=July 2024}}


==Career==
==Career==
A native of [[Toledo, Ohio]], Nix was introduced to music in childhood and began playing the guitar at eleven years old. He listened intently to jazz guitarists including [[Wes Montgomery]], [[Jimmy Raney]], [[Barney Kessel]], and [[Charlie Christian]]. He taught guitar upon his arrival to New York City.{{When?|date=July 2024}} He attended the [[Berklee College of Music]].{{When?|date=July 2024}}
⚫
A native of [[Toledo, Ohio]], Nix taught guitar upon his arrival to New York City. He was a graduate of the [[Berklee College of Music]]. Nix led the Bern Nix trio from 1985 until his death in 2017 in New York City. In 1993, the band released the album ''Alarms and Excursions''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/alarms-excursions-mw0000102285|title=Alarms & Excursions|website=AllMusic}}</ref> The album made many critics' top ten lists. Nix released the solo album ''Low Barometer'' ([[Tompkins Square Records|Tompkins Square]]) in September 2006. His composition "Les is More" appears on ''Art and Money'', an album released by 1687, Inc. in 2006. In 2013, the Bern Nix Quartet released ''Negative Capability''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=44889#.UebJbI03uSo|title=Bern Nix Quartet: Negative Capability|website=All About Jazz|date=July 14, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref>


⚫
Nix led a trio with bassist William Parker and drummer David Cappello from 1985 until his death in 2017. In 1993, the trio released the album ''Alarms and Excursions''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Alarms & Excursions - Bern Nix Trio {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/alarms-excursions-mw0000102285 |access-date=2024-07-23 |language=en}}</ref> Nix released the solo album ''Low Barometer'' on [[Tompkins Square Records]] in September 2006. His composition "Les is More" appears on ''Art and Money'', an album released by 1687, Inc. in 2006. In 2013, the Bern Nix Quartet, featuring Francois Grillot, Reggie Sylvester, and [[Matt Lavelle]], released ''Negative Capability''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=44889#.UebJbI03uSo|title=Bern Nix Quartet: Negative Capability|website=All About Jazz|date=July 14, 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
Nix's song "The Fire Within" was on the soundtrack of the film ''[[Tangerine (film)|Tangerine]]'' directed by [[Sean Baker (film director)|Sean Baker]]. The film premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2015.


⚫
Nix's song "The Fire Within" was featured on the soundtrack of the 2015 film ''[[Tangerine (film)|Tangerine]].''{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
His quartet included Francois Grillot, Reggie Sylvester, and [[Matt Lavelle]] and performed over 50 concerts, mostly in New York City.


Nix performed with [[James Chance and the Contortions]] and appeared on their album ''Live in New York'' (1981). He also worked with [[Jayne Cortez]], [[John Zorn]], [[Marc Ribot]], [[Elliott Sharp]], [[Jemeel Moondoc]], [[Ronald Shannon Jackson]], [[Kip Hanrahan]], and [[Lenore Von Stein]].
Nix performed with [[James Chance and the Contortions]] and appeared on their 1981 album ''Live in New York''. He also worked with [[Jayne Cortez]], [[John Zorn]], [[Marc Ribot]], [[Elliott Sharp]], [[Jemeel Moondoc]], [[Ronald Shannon Jackson]], [[Kip Hanrahan]], and [[Lenore Von Stein]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}


==Discography==
==Discography==
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* ''[[Live at the Vision Festival]]'' (Ayler, 2003)
* ''[[Live at the Vision Festival]]'' (Ayler, 2003)


'''With Others'''
'''With others'''
* [[James Chance and the Contortions]], ''Live in New York'' (ROIR, 1981)
* [[James Chance and the Contortions]], ''Live in New York'' (ROIR, 1981)
* [[Ronald Shannon Jackson]], ''Eye on You'' (About Time, 1980)
* [[Ronald Shannon Jackson]], ''Eye on You'' (About Time, 1980)
Line 84: Line 85:
[[Category:Berklee College of Music alumni]]
[[Category:Berklee College of Music alumni]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York City]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York City]]
⚫
[[Category:Jazz musicians from New York City]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Ohio]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Ohio]]
⚫
[[Category:Jazz musicians from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Ohio]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Ohio]]
[[Category:Musicians from Toledo, Ohio]]
[[Category:Musicians from Toledo, Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 07:23, 23 July 2024

Bern Nix
Bern Nix, Les Gallery Clemente Soto Velez, February 2005
Bern Nix, Les Gallery Clemente Soto Velez, February 2005
Background information
BornSeptember 21, 1947
Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 2017(2017-05-31) (aged 69)
New York City, U.S.
GenresAvant-garde jazz
OccupationMusician
Years active1975–2017
LabelsTompkins Square

Bern Nix (September 21, 1947 – May 31, 2017)[1] was an American jazz guitarist. He is best known for recording and performing with Ornette Coleman from 1975 to 1987, notably with guitarist Charlie Ellerbee in Coleman's Prime Time group on recordings including Dancing in Your Head and In All Languages. Nix was voted among the top ten jazz guitarists in a poll by Down Beat magazine.[2][when?]

Career

[edit]

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Nix was introduced to music in childhood and began playing the guitar at eleven years old. He listened intently to jazz guitarists including Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Raney, Barney Kessel, and Charlie Christian. He taught guitar upon his arrival to New York City.[when?] He attended the Berklee College of Music.[when?]

Nix led a trio with bassist William Parker and drummer David Cappello from 1985 until his death in 2017. In 1993, the trio released the album Alarms and Excursions.[3] Nix released the solo album Low Barometer on Tompkins Square Records in September 2006. His composition "Les is More" appears on Art and Money, an album released by 1687, Inc. in 2006. In 2013, the Bern Nix Quartet, featuring Francois Grillot, Reggie Sylvester, and Matt Lavelle, released Negative Capability.[4]

Nix's song "The Fire Within" was featured on the soundtrack of the 2015 film Tangerine.[citation needed]

Nix performed with James Chance and the Contortions and appeared on their 1981 album Live in New York. He also worked with Jayne Cortez, John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, Jemeel Moondoc, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Kip Hanrahan, and Lenore Von Stein.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]

As leader

[edit]
  • Alarms and Excursions (New World/Counter Currents, 1993)
  • Low Barometer (Tompkins Square, 2006)
  • Negative Capability (56 Kitchen, 2013)
  • Tangerine (Milan, 2015)

As sideman

[edit]

With Ornette Coleman

With Jayne Cortez

  • Unsubmissive Blues (Bola Press, 1980)
  • There It Is (Bola Press, 1982)
  • Maintain Control (Bola Press, 1986)
  • Everywhere Drums (Bola Press, 1990)
  • Poetry & Music (Tradition & Moderne, 1994)
  • Cheerful & Optimistic (Bola Press, 1994)
  • Taking the Blues Back Home (Harmolodic/Verve, 1996)[5]
  • Borders of Disorderly Time (Bola Press, 2003)

With Jemeel Moondoc

With others

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nate Chinen, "Bern Nix, Guitarist Steeped in Ornette Coleman's Harmolodic Language, Dies at 69", WBGO, June 1, 2017.
  2. ^ "Bern Nix @ All About Jazz". Musicians.allaboutjazz.com. July 14, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Alarms & Excursions - Bern Nix Trio | Album | AllMusic, retrieved July 23, 2024
  4. ^ "Bern Nix Quartet: Negative Capability". All About Jazz. July 14, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  5. ^ "Taking the Blues Back Home". AllMusic. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
[edit]
  • Media related to Bern Nix at Wikimedia Commons
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