Don Pullen (1941 - 1995) & Geroge Rufus Adams (1940 - 1992)

Don Pullen (1941 – 1995) was an American jazz pianist who developed a surprisingly easy approach to avant-garde jazz on his instrument. Even when he used relatively conventional structures, he shook nimble cascades of sound from his right sleeve that were not as percussive as those of Cecil Taylor, but more fluid and at least as exciting. George Rufus Adams (1940 – 1992) was an American jazz musician (tenor saxophone, flute, vocals, composition) and representative of the Modern Creative style, who began playing the piano at the age of eleven, later performing with the saxophone in high school bands and playing rhythm ‘n’ blues and funk in a nightclub. He studied music and later toured Europe with organist Hank Marr’s band, which included James Blood Ulmer. From 1968 he worked in New York and between 1973 and 1976 belonged to Charles Mingus’ quintet, then to the Gil Evans Orchestra and McCoy Tyner. In 1978 he performed at the Frankfurt Jazz Festival together with Archie Shepp and Heinz Sauer. From 1979 he played with his former Mingus colleagues Don Pullen. At the Willisau Jazz Festival 1980, Adams & Don Pullen performed together and thrilled the fans with an exciting jazz concert.