Bill Dixon

Via Phil Freeman comes news that Bill Dixon has died at his home in North Bennington, Vermont. Among his many artistic accomplishments, Dixon organized and performed at the famed "October Revolution," a 1964 showcase of the burgeoning New York free jazz scene. He was also a founding member of the Jazz Composers Guild, one of the most notable early attempts to organize jazz musicians outside of the existing structures of the music business. He continued to play actively into his eighties, releasing an album in each of the past three years. He also appeared on Cecil Taylor's wonderful 1969 album Conquistador! He will be missed.