Cherry live at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey in 1969. The album was released in 1978. Cherry plays with three Turkish musicians here. We have Irfan Sümer on percussion/tenor sax, Selçuk Sun on double bass and Okay Temiz on drums/percussion.
The music is quite free and mixes in Turkish influences. Much of the album consists of Cherry originals and Turkish folk material arranged by Turkish jazz trumpeter Maffy Falay. We also have two Ornette tunes and a Pharoah Sanders number.
I dig the Turkish vibes on this and that Cherrys’ trumpet is prominently featured. He also plays the Zurna, which is a double reed wind instrument, flute, piano and adds some vocals. This is one of my favorite Cherry albums to date. His playing is outstanding.
The front cover tapestry is of course by Moki Cherry. Love her work.
I will continue to explore the work of Cherry as a leader. I feel it’s important as well as he was so connected to Sweden.