(Review by Russell)
Joseph
Jarman first compiled a spiral-bound version of Black Case Volume I
& II in 1974. Three years later an expanded edition was published
by Art Ensemble of Chicago Publishing Co.. Now, some twelve months after the
death of the Art Ensemble of Chicago's saxophonist, composer, poet and member
of the AACM, a reprint, with a new preface by Thulani Davis and an introduction
by Brent Hayes Edwards, has been made available by Blank Forms Editions and
After : Still.
Poetry,
prose and photographs from 1960 through to the mid-seventies chart Jarman's
global travels and development as an artist. Principally known as a member of
the feted Art Ensemble of Chicago, Black Case Volume I & II is
a welcome addition to the literature of the Black Arts Movement.
Multi-instrumentalist Jarman offers an insight to his childhood years on
Chicago's South Side; racism, urban alienation and fishing trips with his
father.
In his
early twenties Jarman wound up in Texas. In Volume I Jarman
writes: El Paso - spring 1959 - i arrive on the hot summer Greyhound
from the East, full of dust and silence. High off - pills, smack, other deadly
joys, mute, silent and motionless. A page of poetry, a page of prose,
perhaps a photograph, Jarman committed words to paper as the spirit took him;
on one page socio-political comment: BLACK MUSIC IS BLACK MUSIC and
always will be, on another page spiritual or religious thought is
offered: do not fight life, rather live it freely/this is the message
of GREAT BLACK MUSIC embrace it and sing-you will feel better and you will
learn through your own life to praise GOD.
Service in
the US military during the 1950s appeared to have had a profound effect on
Jarman. Traumatised by military (mis)adventure in Asia (sustaining a severe leg
injury) a transfer to an army band based in Germany (acquiring an alto
saxophone along the way) proved to be a better option. In his excellent
introduction to this new edition Brent Hayes Edwards recounts Jarman telling
music historian Paul Steinbeck that 'El Paso' (much of Jarman's poetry
was untitled) was a first attempt at writing poetry. In a few short years the
Art Ensemble of Chicago would become the perfect platform for his literary
talents.
The Art
Ensemble's penchant for theatrical costume, surrealist pranks, poetry and, of
course, music, nurtured Joseph Jarman's creativity for several decades (not
withstanding a sabbatical to study Buddhism and aikido). The full title of
Jarman's book - Black Case Volume I & II Return from Exile -
points to the author's spiritual journey from self-imposed exile (Brent Hayes
Edwards calls it 'internal alienation') from the supposed 'real' world.
Those
lucky enough to have witnessed Jarman in full flow with the Art Ensemble of
Chicago will, no doubt, have fond memories. In her preface to this new edition
of Black Case I & II Thulani Davis recalls first visiting
Jarman's home: The first time I visited Joseph he was listening to
Jimmy Cliff and Sidney Bechet. He played me 78s of Charlie Parker. Just life as
it should be, it seemed.
Russell
Black Case
Volume I & II: Return from Exile by Joseph Jarman is
published by Blank Forms Editions (Brooklyn, NY) and After
: Still (Madison, WI), ISBN: 978-1-7337235-3-4
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