Unconventional English guitarist Derek Bailey specialized in free jazz and improvisational work, often relying less on the guitar in the traditional sense as an instrument than as a device capable of producing an infinite array of sounds. Born in Sheffield, England, on January 29, 1930, Bailey worked his way through the jazz club circuit before embracing the endless opportunities of free jazz, even if much of his later avant-garde work would be hard to place under that already-wide umbrella.
In 1963, Bailey joined the trio Joseph Holbrooke, which featured bassist Gavin Bryars and drummer Tony Oxley. Oxley would become one of Bailey’s key collaborators, as they were two of the four founders of Incus Records in 1970, which became the home for Bailey’s unclassifiable and difficult to market music. After moving to London, he joined the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, which allowed him to truly stretch into new territory beyond even the realms of jazz.
Bailey founded the band Company in 1976, which continued the sense of open freedom of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, even in regards to its amorphous lineup, which sometimes featured fellow forward-thinking musicians Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, and George Lewis. Later in his career, he was able to collaborate with artists in the no-wave and noise rock scenes that his work inspired, such as John Zorn and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore.
He was eventually diagnosed with motor neuron disease, which hindered his ability to play and manipulate the guitar as he was accustomed to, but instead of retiring, he opted to re-learn the instrument in a way that allowed him to continue to play despite his increasing limitations. After releasing an album recorded in this style, Carpal Tunnel, Bailey died on December 25, 2005.
