Dave Pike

Self-taught vibraphone player Dave Pike will always be associated with the New York flautist Herbie Mann. It was whilst working in Mann's combo that Pike began experimenting with amplifying his vibraphone and it was these early explorations into what could be done with the vibes that laid the foundations for Pike's later forays into jazz. Pike made his recording debut with Canadian pianist and free jazz exponent Paul Bley when he played on Bley's highly respected post-bop album 'Solemn Meditation' released in 1958. Throughout the 1960s Pike played with Herbie Mann whilst simultaneously developing his solo career. Although Pike recorded numerous solo albums in 1969 he formed a quartet with guitarist Volker Kriegel, bassist J.A. Rettenbacher and drummer Peter Baumeister, collectively known as the Dave Pike Set. The band had a relatively short-lived career splitting up in 1972 but during that period they recorded six avant garde albums drawing on influences from a wide variety of sources including soul, jazz, funk and numerous types of world music. Dave Pike died in 2015 leaving behind a rich recording legacy of uncompromising, experimental jazz.

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