Leroy Jenkins
b. 11 March 1932, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Jenkins began playing violin as a small child and, although he later tried other instruments, it was as a violinist that he became known in local jazz circles. In the early '60s he taught music in Alabama and back in Chicago, which is where, in 1965, he became involved with Muhal Richard Abrams in the AACM. He joined Anthony Braxton's first group with Leo Smith, and moved to Paris in 1969. The unit added drummer Steve McColl, recorded several albums, became known as the Creative Construction Company, but then broke up and Jenkins returned to the USA. In 1971, the Creative Construction played a reunion concert with guests Abrams and Richard Davis, which was recorded and later released in two parts by Muse Records. In 1971 Jenkins formed the Revolutionary Ensemble, a trio with bassist Sirone and drummer Jerome Cooper. After the Revolutionary Ensemble folded in the late '70s, Jenkins was associated with the New York-based Composer's Forum and also recorded with both upcoming musicians such as Anthony Davis, George Lewisand James Newton and veterans Muhal Richard Abrams and Andrew Cyrille. In his playing style Jenkins ignored the conventions of the European classical violin. Although a jazz predecessor, Stuff Smith, had used the instrument in a manner which also ignored preconceptions, scraping the strings and striking the box to create whatever sounds his imagination demanded, Jenkins went much further. In his hands the violin became many instruments; it could be a richly lyrical singer of ballads, it could be used to deliver harsh and sometimes raucous counterpoint, it could be a means to play driving rhythmic patterns. In freeing the instrument from previous constraints, Jenkins has established himself as a major figure in contemporary music. He has also occasionally recorded on viola. The '80s saw him devoting much of his time to composing, though he also led a blues-inspired band, Sting, which featured a front-line of violins and two guitars.