Chris Bakriges

Review by Richard Mayer

In the short time that I have known Chris Bakriges we have had many an interesting dialogue about this music we love. As a scholar, Chris is as well versed in the history of jazz as he is tuned into its future. A doctoral candidate at Toronto's York University, Chris has passionately undertaken the study of the trans-culturation of the African-American avant garde to its adopted home abroad. His studies have taken him around the world, and into the music of Bill Dixon and Raphe Malik at Bennington, Anthony Braxton at Wesleyan, and the tutelage of Oscar Peterson in Toronto. Chris is a prolific writer, player, and champion of creative music.

Chris Bakriges is a composer and player of integrity. He has created here a body of work that exudes passion and appeal, the recording of which he has approached in a most daring, no-frills sort of way.