Art Edmaiston - Memphis Mandala (2026)

Free Jazz in many ways is the sonic equivalent of abstract painting. The main difference is the music is created on the spot, in the now with no chance for edits or revisions. If the musicians goal is merely to sound good and please the audience, a much safer path is to write some great music, rehearse it well and then present it. For some bold Spirits it's more about exploration and self discovery. One of the most difficult things to do in music, is to play from complete zero preconceptions and yet have it come out cohesive, sounding composed, dramatic and moving. On this magical night in Memphis I believe we had the Mojo working.

Historically the South has not been too receptive to free music. Among the few who do it, are some of my favorite musicians ever. John Coltrane from North Carolina, Pharoah Sanders from Arkansas, Ornette Coleman, Dennis Gonzalez and sons from Texas. Don Cherry and Charles Brackeen from Oklahoma and Wadada Leo Smith from Mississippi.

These players have a blues, country, Spiritual component to their music that I really resonate with. We might call it cosmic soul music. The players on this recording are in that lineage. I love Chad, Artie, Damon and Pee Wee as musicians and people. I'm most grateful they invited me to ride along on their sonic spaceship and be part of this unique special recording. Love Always Hu Ra Kalam Bob Moses