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Elton Dean
Alto Sax & Saxello

Born : October 28th, 1945 – Nottingham (England)
Died : February 8th, 2006 – London
Past Bands : Lester Square and the GTs, The Crickets, Bluesology (1966-67), Keith Tippett Sextet (1968-70), Soft Machine (1969-72), Just Us (1972-75), Centipede (1970-71), Brotherhood of Breath (1973-75), Supersister (1974), Ninesense (1975-77), Weightwatchers (1975-76), Hopper Dean Tippett Gallivan (1976-77), Carla Bley Band (1977), Keith Tippett’s Ark (1978-79), Soft Head (1978), Soft Heap (1978-), London Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, In Cahoots (1982-2004), Pip Pyle’s Equip’Out (1984-95), Mark Hewins’ FF (1984-85), The Music Doctors (1986-87), London/Dallas Sextet (1988), SoftWorks (2002-04), various EDQ’s, Soft Bounds (2004-05), Soft Machine Legacy (2004-05), Psychic Warrior (2003)

A Short Bio:

Elton Dean was a totally unique musician : at times lyrical and moving, at others explosive and unsettling, his approach of saxophone playing was totally his own, besides the fact that he favoured a little-used member of the sax family : the saxello, an hybrid between alto and soprano, with an instantly recognizable sound. Over the years, Dean lent his immense talents to bands like Soft Machine, Soft Heap, In Cahoots and L’Equip’Out, as well as many jazz ensembles featuring Keith Tippett, Hugh Hopper, Pip Pyle, Mark Hewins and John Etheridge.

Elton Dean was born in Nottingham in 1945. He started taking piano and violin lessons at a very early age, and bought his first saxophone when he reached 18. At that point, he’d become interested in jazz listening to the radio and records, particularly traditional English jazz, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Condon, etc. By the mid-60’s, Dean had started playing in London pubs, and became a professional musician. In 1966-67, he played alongside trumpet player Mark Charig in Long John Baldry’s band Bluesology (whose piano player borrowed his and Baldry’s first names to start a career as pop singer under the name Elton John), Georgie Fame’s Blue Flames and Marsha Hunt’s backing band. Late in 1967, Dean and Charig met pianist Keith Tippett and trombone player Nick Evans, thus the formation of the Keith Tippett Sextet, which played in various clubs in 1968-69 and recorded two albums for the Vertigo label.

In the Autumn of 1969, Tippett’s brass section of Dean, Evans and Charig was absorbed into Soft Machine. While the latter two left after only a couple of months, Dean soldiered on, and for two years was part of the band’s most vividly remembered line-up, alongside Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper and Mike Ratledge. He played on the studio albums Third (1970), Fourth (1971) and 5 (1972), as well as many radio sessions and European tours, resulting in later archive albums such as Peel Sessions. While in Soft Machine, Dean also formed his own jazz group with Neville Whitehead (bass) and Phil Howard (drums), releasing his eponymous debut on CBS in 1971 (with Ratledge guesting), and played with Barry Guy’s Jazz Composers’ Orchestra and Keith Tippett’s 50-piece Centipede.

The Elton Dean Group had already metamorphosed into Just Us, which saw Elton reunited with Charig and Evans, by the time he left Soft Machine in May 1972. It carried on as a semi-professional ensemble until 1975, by the time the rhythm section had changed to Harry Miller and Louis Moholo on bass and drums respectively. In 1973, Dean toured Holland backing Loak Dikker, and in March 1974, immediately after a French tour with Hugh Hopper’s Monster Band, replaced Charlie Mariano in the Dutch progressive rock band Supersister, touring extensively with them until their break-up in July. Back in England, he joined Chris MacGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, touring Europe with them for two years.

In January 1975, Elton Dean launched his most ambitious project to date, the large ensemble Ninesense, which included many of the British jazz scene’s most talented musicians, including Keith Tippett, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo. He also formed his own quartet, EDQ, with Tippett, Moholo and bassist Chris Laurence, recording They All Be On This Old Road (1977) for Ogun Records; around the same time he also formed El Skid with fellow saxophone player Alan Skidmore. In the autumn of 1975, he also joined forces with Tippett, Jim Richardson (bass) and Pip Pyle (drums) as the Weightwatchers, whose brief existence culminated in September 1976 with an epic tour of the Netherlands, The following month, Dean and Tippett formed yet another quartet, this time with Hugh Hopper and Joe Gallivan (drums and synthesizer), which recorded the album Cruel But Fair for Compendium.

1977 was another busy year, with more Ninesense activities, a tour of France and Germany with Tippett/Hopper/Gallivan, an album and European tour with Carla Bley’s band (alongside Hugh Hopper and Gary Windo), and a trio album with Gallivan and Kenny Wheeler, The Cheque Is In The Mail. In 1978, he formed Soft Heap with Pip Pyle, Hugh Hopper and Alan Gowen. An inaugural French tour with Dave Sheen replacing Pyle resulted in the Soft Head album Rogue Element, and later that year the band went in the studio to record its eponymous debut, with Pyle back on the drum stool. Around the same time El Skid finally made its recording debut.

Dean’s activities at the turn of the decade were a little less prolific : Soft Heap carried on with some personnel changes (John Greaves coming in on bass, Mark Hewins on guitar replacing Gowen after his untimely death in 1981), his own EDQ recorded the album Boundaries (1980) for the ECM sublabel Japo, and he guested on National Health’s tribute album to Gowen, D.S. Al Coda (1982). Canterbury links were further renewed when he joined Phil Miller’s new band, In Cahoots (of which he’s been a permanent fixture for over 20 years now), and a couple of years later drummer Pip Pyle’s jazz band L’Equip’Out. To keep busy during his spare time, he also formed yet another EDQ which recorded a couple of albums in the mid-80’s. Later in the decade, he also formed the Dean/Etheridge Quartet with guitarist Etheridge, and the rhythm section of Fred Baker and Mark Sanders. Other projects during that period included the Duos and Trios tapes which he released on his own label, ED Tapes, and his Unlimited Saxophone Company.

The 1990’s saw the continuation of Dean’s participation in In Cahoots (the albums Recent Discoveries, Parallel, Out Of The Blue and All That, and numerous tours) until his departure in 2004, and Equip’Out (until its demise in the mid-90s), amidst various jazz projects. The mid-Nineties witnessed the return of the EDQ with a unique line-up of Sophia Domancich on piano, and old friends Paul Dunmall, Paul Rogers and Tony Levin, on the CD Silent Knowledge on the American label Cuneiform. Dean also formed a new large jazz ensemble, Newsense.

Dean’s back catalogue was partly reissued with the advent of the digital age, although sadly such masterpieces as the Ninesense albums (although Hux released a CD of their BBC sessions in 2003) and the quartet album They All Be On This Old Road remain unavailable in digital form. MoonJune released a CD of a duo improvisation by Dean and Mark Hewins from 1992, Bar Torque; also of note were the excellent Moorsong (2001) on Cuneiform, centered on quartet performances with Alex Maguire, Fred Baker and Liam Genockey; and Sea Of Infinity (2004) on Hux Records, based on his ongoing collaboration with Hewins.

Beginning in the late 1990s, Dean reacquainted himself with his Soft Machine past, first with the SoftWhere quartet in 1999, alongside Hugh Hopper, John Marshall and Keith Tippett, which played one gig in Germany. This evolved into SoftWorks, with Allan Holdsworth replacing Tippett – an exciting line-up which recorded one album, Abracadabra (2003), and performed in America, Japan, Italy and Mexico. In 2004 the quartet became the Soft Machine Legacy Project, when John Etheridge replaced Holdsworth. Dean also guested on gigs by PolySoft, a Soft Machine cover-band consisting of French musicians and Hugh Hopper; a live album recorded at Paris’ Triton venue came out in May 2003. And in 2004 Soft Bounds was formed, with Hopper, Sophia Domancich and Simon Goubert, for a performance at the Parisian club Le Triton, the recording of which was released the following year on the venue’s own label. Also of note was Alex Maguire’s project Psychic Warrior, which revived the Moorsong quartet with Fred Baker and Liam Genockey, and released its debut CD in 2004.

Sadly Dean’s health deteriorated, resulting in several hospital stays in 2005, and his untimely death in February 2006.

There is a chronology of Elton Dean’s career (post-Soft Machine) on this website.

1970
September
[06] Hampstead (London), Country Club [E.Dean-R.Wyatt-N.Whitehead-M.Charig]

1971
February

[07] London, Roundhouse (Release Benefit) [also: Soft Machine, Daevid Allen & Friends, Kevin Ayers & The Whole World, Symbiosis, Ivor Cutler, Ralph McTell] [ED Quartet]
March

[11] London, Paris Theatre (as part of Soft Machine’s ‘In Concert’ programme) [ED Quartet plus Mike Ratledge] (“Blind Badger” performed) (broadcast Mar 26)
[13] London, Bedford College [ED Quartet – Dean-Charig-Whitehead-Howard]
[15-27] European tour [Soft Machine]
May

[–] London, Advision Studios (sessions for Elton Dean’s solo album) [ED Quartet plus guests Mike Ratledge & Roy Babbington]
June

[17] London, Goldsmith’s [ED Group]
July

[05-28] US tour [Soft Machine]
August

Jeff Green (guitar), a roadie for Soft Machine, joins the group which is now a quintet
[04] Hampstead [London], Phoenix Club [ED Group]
September

[14] Hampstead [London], Phoenix Club (JCS) [ED Group]
November

[03] Hampstead [London], Phoenix Club [ED/P.Howard Duo]
[11] Walthamstow [London], North London Poly [ED/P.Howard Duo]
[12] Loughton College [ED/P.Howard Duo]
[25-] UK tour [Soft Machine]
December

[10] Hampstead [London], Phoenix Club [“A Quartet” – E.Dean-K.Tippett-N.Whitehead-R.Wyatt]

1972
February

[01-03] London, Command Studios [Command All-Stars sessions with ED, Keith Tippett, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Harry Miller, Johnny Dyani & Keith Bailey]
[05] London, Bedford College [Just Us feat. Dave MacRae (electric piano), Neville Whitehead (bass) & Phil Howard (drums); also: Marc Charig 4 feat. Bruce Grant (sax), Harry Miller (bass) & Keith Bailey (drums)]
March

[04] London, Seymour Hall [Just Us]
April

[15-24] Italian tour [Soft Machine]
May

[02-15] French tour [Soft Machine]
Elton Dean leaves Soft Machine
June

[06] London, The Swan [Just Us; also: Howard Riley 3]
[09] Colchester, Essex University [Keith Tippett/ED Trio]
[25] Redhill [London], Greyhound [Just Us; also: Naima]
[27] Bremen (Germany), Filmkunsttheater [Just Us – ED-Evans-Green-Howard]
July

Mark Charig (re)joins
[07] London, King’s Cross Cinema [also: Soft Machine, Matching Mole]
[09] Oxford, New Theatre [also: Soft Machine, Matching Mole]
[17-29] London, Ronnie Scott’s [supporting Weather Report] [Just Us – ED-Evans-Green-Howard]
The band’s residency at Ronnie’s ends abruptly after just one night – the band’s music, it seems, was very badly received by the audiences
August

[22] Fulham [London], Greyhound [Just Us]
October

[05] Clapham [London], The Crypt [“Dean-Charig-Evans”]
November

Phil Howard leaves following “musical disagreements” and is replaced by Louis Moholo
December

[11] London, BBC Studios Maida Vale [Just Us] [ED-Charig-Evans-Green-Whitehead-Moholo]
Tracks from the above session have been released on Cuneiform’s reissue of Elton Dean’s eponymous album (“Fun Cup”, plus “A.N.1” on the Japanese pressing) and Reel Recordings’ Command All-Stars (“Vehim”)

1973
February

[06] Rotterdam (Netherlands) [Just Us]
[09] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paradiso [Just Us]
[10] Rotterdam (Netherlands), Eksit [Just Us]
[11] Dordrecht (Netherlands), Sprankje Groen [Just Us]
March

[–] London, Phoenix Club [Brotherhood Of Breath, ED & Lol Coxhill deps]
[29] London, Blues & Jazz Incorporated [Just Us]
April

[08] London, Upstairs at the Tally [Just Us] [Dean-Evans-Charig-Green-Miller-Moholo]
May

[24] London, Torrington [Just Us] [Dean-Evans-Charig-Green-Miller-Allan]
June

Elton Dean joins Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath (line-up: Moholo, Miller, Malfatti, Evans, Feza, Charig, Beckett, Parker, Coxhill, Pukwana, Dean, Osborne)
July

[–] London, ICA [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[28] Bath, YMCA (Another Festival) [Dean-Tippett/E.Parker & Friends]
September

[01] S.E. London, Bromley Library Gardens [Just Us] [Dean-Evans-Charig-Green-Miller-Allan]
[25] London, The Swan [Just Us] [Dean-Evans-Charig-Tippett-Green-Moholo]

1974
January

[30] London, Phoenix Club [Just Us] [Dean-Charig-Tippett-Green-Miller-Moholo]
March

[–] Boulogne [nr Paris] (France), MJC (rehearsal) [Monster Band]
[–] Lyon (France) (first concert of the tour) [Monster Band]
[15] Jouy-en-Josas [nr Paris] (France), HEC Hall d’Honneur [supporting Caravan] [Monster Band]
[16] Poitiers (France), Les Arènes (Kosmess ’74 Festival) [also: Amon Duul II, Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes, Au Bonheur Des Dames, Mahjun] [Monster Band]
Lol Coxhill and Laurie Allan return to England, and Mike Travis flies in from England especially for this final show
[20] Bordeaux (France) [Monster Band]
Elton Dean joins Dutch group Supersister, replacing Charlie Mariano
[30] Emmen (Netherlands), Muzewal [Supersister]
April

[03] Buussum (Netherlands), ‘t Spant [Supersister]
[05] Schage (Netherlands), Cultureel Centrum [Supersister]
[06] Leidschendam (Netherlands), Sape [Supersister]
[13] Poitiers (France), Arènes (Festival Equinoxe) [also: Can, Zao, Magma] [Supersister]
[18] Utrecht (Netherlands), Het Hoogt [Supersister]
[19] Dortmund (Germany) [Supersister]
[20] Essen (Germany), Krugahalle (Dutch Rock Meeting) [also: Kayak, Earth & Fire, Ekseption…] [Supersister]
[23] Norhorn, Germany) [Supersister]
[26] Utrecht (Netherlands), Tivoli [also: Alquin] [Supersister]
[27] Den Haag (Netherlands), Paard van Troje [Supersister]
[28] Hoogland (Netherlands) [Supersister]
[30] Haarlem (Netherlands), Kennemer Sporthal (afternoon) [also: Hobo String Band, Kayak, Greenslade…] [Supersister]
[30] Vlaardigen (Netherlands), Sporthal (evening) [Supersister]
May

[04] Hamburg (Germany), Der Fabrik [Supersister]
[05] Lichtenvoorde (Netherlands), De Müllenkoaren [Supersister]
[09] Oudenbosch (Netherlands), Voosenberg [Supersister]
[10] Ecaussines (Belgium), Maison du Peuple [Supersister] [support: Univers Zéro (their first-ever concert!)]
[11] Well (Luxembourg), De Gouden Hoef [Supersister]
[17] Amersfoort (Netherlands), Markthal [Supersister]
[18] Rijswijk (Netherlands), De Kleine Schouwburg [Supersister]
[23] Ijmuiden (Netherlands), PEN [Supersister]
[24] Leiden (Netherlands), Kreatief Centrum [Supersister]
[25] Drachten (Netherlands), Jongerencentrum Exloo [Supersister]
[31] Eindhoven (Netherlands), De Effenaar [Supersister]
June

[01] Creatief Centrum [Supersister]
[05] Ridderkerk (Netherlands), Cultureel Centrum [Supersister]
[16] Breda (Netherlands), Turfschip (+ Man) [Supersister]
[21] Germert (Netherlands), Jongerencentrum [Supersister]
[26] Zandvoort (Netherlands), De Krocht, [Supersister]
[30] Hamburg (Germany), Der Grünspan [Supersister]
July

[03] London, Phoenix Club [Just Us] [Dean-Charig-Malfatti-Evans-Green-Miller-Moholo] [also: Karl Jenkins Band]
[06] Delft (Netherlands), De Eland [Supersister]
[21] Rotterdam (Netherlands), De Doelen [Supersister]
[23] Kerkrade (Netherlands), Roda Hal [also: Alvin Stardust, Earth & Fire] [Supersister]
August

Dean joins a reformed version of Georgie Fame’s Blue Flames, a 10-piece band also including Bernie Holland (guitar), Alan Skidmore (tenor sax) and Henry Lowther (trumpet)
[24] Reading Festival [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[27] Coventry [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[28] Birmingham, Barbarella’s [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[29] Leamington [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[30] Cardiff, New Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
September

[01] Peterborough, Key Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[05] Elstree, Civic Hall [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[06] Halifax, Civic Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[08] Whitworth, Civic Hall [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[08] London, ICA [Just Us]
[09] Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[11] Redcar, Coatham Bowl [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[13] Scarborough, Penthouse [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[14] Duntermline, Carnegie Hall [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[15] Grangemouth, Town Hall [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[16] Motherwell, Civic Hall [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[18] London, Lyceum [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[19] Aldershot, Princess Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[20] Wolverhampton, Lafayette Club [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[21] Sutton Cottfield, Belfrey [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]
[22] Darlington, Civic Theatre [Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames]

1975
January

[15] London, Phoenix Club [Just Us]
ED expands Just Us into the ensemble Ninesense, with a line-up of Dean, Skidmore, Feza, Charig, Evans, Malfatti, Tippett, Miller and Moholo
[22] London, Collegiate Theatre [Ninesense]
[26] Bridgwater, Arts Centre [Brotherhood Of Breath]
February

[06] Grenoble (France), Jazz Festival [Brotherhood Of Breath]
Line-up: Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mike Osborne, Alan Skidmore, Elton Dean, Evan Parker, Mongezi Feza, Mark Charig, Harry Beckett, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
March

[03] London, 100 Club [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[17] Reims (France) [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[18] Willisau (Germany) [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[19] Rouen (France) [Brotherhood Of Breath]
April

Just Us begin organising gigs for themselves at N.London Poly on late Friday nights
[18] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
May

[19] London, BBC Studios (Jazz In Britain) [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Mark Charig, Mongezi Feza, Radu Malfatti, Paul Nieman, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
June

[06] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
[13] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
[20] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
July

[11] Siegendorf (Austria) [Brotherhood Of Breath]
August

[17] London,100 Club (benefit gig) [Just Us]
[22] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
[29] Willisau (Germany), Festival [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[29] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
September

[19] North London Poly [ED & Friends]
October

[11] Nancy (France), Festival Nancy Jazz Pulsations [Brotherhood Of Breath] [also: Centipede]
November

[11] Bridgwater, Arts Centre [Brotherhood Of Breath]
[23] Reims (France), Jazz Festival (afternoon) [Ninesense]
Weightwatchers formed by ED, Pip Pyle (drums), Keith Tippett (piano) and Jim Richardson (bass)
[28] London, The Nashville [Weightwatchers]
December

[11] London, Seven Dials [Just Us]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig (cornet), Jeff Green (guitar), Jim Richardson (bass) & John Marshall (drums)

1976
January

[06] London, The Sussex [Weightwatchers]
February

[18] London, Phoenix [Just Us]
March

[02] London, Marquee Club [support: Coxhill-Miller] [Weightwatchers]
[06] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [St.Anthoniesbreestraat 33 Reunion Band]
Line-up: ED (as), Peter van Ginkel (cl/d), Gert Dudek (ts),Loek Dikker (p), Louis Moholo (d)
[22] London, 100 Club (recorded for “Oh! For The Edge” LP) [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Harry Beckett, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo
June

[05] Groningen (Netherlands), Festival [Ninesense]
August

[02] London, 100 Club [Ninesense]
September

[22] Enschede (Netherlands), T.H. Twente [Weightwatchers]
[23-24] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paradiso [Weightwatchers]
[25] Winterswijk (Netherlands), Eucalypta [Weightwatchers]
[26] Tilburg (Netherlands), Tilburg Jazz Festival (afternoon) [Weightwatchers]
[26] Eindhoven (Netherlands), Sunny Explosion (evening) [Weightwatchers]
[29] Oosterhout (Netherlands), Akwadoe [Weightwatchers]
[30] Breda (Netherlands), Buitenbeentje [Weightwatchers]
October

[04] London, 100 Club [Ninesense]
Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, Joe Gallivan and Keith Tippett form a quartet (named Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan)
[14-31] Scandinavia [HDTG]
November

[01-02] Scandinavia [HDTG]
[18] London, Seven Dials [ED Quartet]
December

[07] London, Rock Garden [Keith Tippett Sextet, with HM/LM]

1977
January

[19] York, Arts Centre [ED Quartet]
[20] Manchester, Band On The Wall [ED Quartet]
February

[19] London School of Economics [Ninesense] [supporting Eberhard Weber’s Colours]
[27] London, Zodiac Club [ED Quartet feat. Keith Tippett]
March

[02] Warwick, University (Modern Jazz Club) [ED Sextet]
April

[13] London, Phoenix Club [Intercontinental Express, ED replaces Charles Austin]
[18-19] Paris (France), Théâtre Campagne-Première (two shows – 8.30/10pm) [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[21-24] Paris (France), Théâtre Campagne-Première (two shows – 8.30/10pm) [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[25-30] European tour [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
(dates include Hamburg, Nancy, Schondorf, Stuttgart…)
May

[01-30] European tour [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[09] Bremen (Germany), Post-Aula (Radio Bremen broadcast) [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[28] Annecy (France), Théâtre [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[29] Colmar (France), Amphi de la Foire aux Vins (Festival) [also: Gong-Expresso, The Police, Nico, Doctor Feelgood] [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]

June

[02-05] London (sessions for “Mercy Dash”) [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[08] Liverpool, Eric’s Club [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[09] Manchester, Band On The Wall [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[10] Glasgow, Third Eye Centre [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[14] Birmingham [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[15] London, Phoenix Club [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]
[18] Bracknell [Hopper-Dean-Tippett-Gallivan]

July

[23-24] Bracknell Festival [Ninesense]
[26] London, Redan Recorders (sessions for “Happy Daze”) [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Harry Beckett, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo
August

[19] London, Dingwall’s (dress rehearsal) [Carla Bley Band]
[23-31] European tour [Carla Bley Band]
[23] (Italy) [Carla Bley Band]
[24] Châteauvallon (France), Festival de Jazz [Carla Bley Band]
September

[01-08] European tour [Carla Bley Band]
[09] Emmen (Netherlands), Tin Pan Alley [ED Quartet]
[10] Oudenbosch (Netherlands), Try [ED Quartet]
[11] Bergen-op-Zoom (Netherlands), De Bottehommel (afternoon) [ED Quartet]
[11] Breda (Netherlands), De Bommel (evening) [ED Quartet]
[13] Den Bosch (Netherlands), De Kakatoe [ED Quartet]
[14] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [ED Quartet]
[15] Nijmegen (Netherlands), Doornroosje [ED Quartet]
[16] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Melkweg [ED Quartet]
[17] Eindhoven (Netherlands), De Effenaar [ED Quartet]
[18] Maassluis (Netherlands), De Toverbal (afternoon) [ED Quartet]
[18] Schiebroek (Netherlands), Nullispretii (evening) [ED Quartet]
[late] Italian tour [ED Quartet]
December

[15] London, Seven Dials [ED Quartet]

1978
February

[21] London, Shaw Theatre [Ninesense]
March

[–] London, Roundhouse (Camden Festival) [Ninesense]
[17] London, BBC Studios (Jazz In Britain) [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Harry Beckett, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
April

[10] Amsterdam (Netherlands), De Kroeg [ED Quartet]
[13] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Melkweg [ED Quartet]
[23] French tour begins [Soft Head]
[24] Toulouse (France), Théâtre du Taur [Soft Head]
[25] Bordeaux (France) [Soft Head]
[26] Angers (France), Beaurepaire [Soft Head]
May

[04] Lyon (France), Rock’n’Roll Mops [Soft Head]
[05] Grenoble (France) [Soft Head] (cancelled?)
[05-06] Bresse-sur-Grosne (France), A L’Ouest de la Grosne [Soft Head] (?)
[06] Paris (France), Bus Palladium [Soft Head] (cancelled?)
[09] Nancy (France), Palais des Congrès [Soft Head]
[10] Reims (France, Maison de la Culture [Soft Head]
[11] Lille (France) [Soft Head]
[12] French tour ends [Soft Head]
[21] London, Roundhouse [Keith Tippett’s Ark]
[22-24] London, Wessex Studios (sessions for “Frames” LP) [Keith Tippett’s Ark]
June

[15-18] Nyon (Switzerland), Salle Comunale (Festival Jazz-Nyon 1978) [Ninesense]
ED Ninesense + El Skid, Ogun’s Cruising on The River initiative
July

[07] London, Westminster Pier [El Skid]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Chris Laurence, Louis Moholo
[08] Bracknell Festival [Ninesense]
[19] London, Phoenix Club [Soft Head]
August

[04] London, Westminster Pier [Ninesense]
[–] London, Roundhouse (Festival Of Music & Dance) [KT Sextet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Keith Tippett, Paul Rogers and Louis Moholo
[20] London, Riverside Studios (Riverside Jazz Festival) [also: John Stevens’ Away] [Soft Head]
October

[02-07] London, Pathway Studios [Soft Heap]
[08] Putney, Half-Moon [ED, Radu Malfatti, Paul Rutherford, Paul Rogers & Louis Moholo]
[20] London, 100 Club [ED Sextet]
Line-up: ED, Larry Stabbins, Radu Malfatti, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo
[30] London, 100 Club [ED Group]
November

Dutch tour (14 dates) [EDQ]
Line-up: ED, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo
[08] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [ED Quartet]
[22] London, Phoenix Club [Soft Heap]
December

[04] London, 100 Club [Soft Heap]

1979
January

[15] London, 100 Club [ED Quartet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Paul Rogers and John Stevens (Charig and Stevens dep for Keith Tippett and Louis Moholo)
[28] Putney, Half-Moon [Soft Heap]
February

ED Quartet European tour (ED, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller and Louis Moholo)
[07] Rouen (France) [ED Quartet]
[10] Angoulème (France) [ED Quartet]
[12] Poitiers (France) [ED Quartet]
[13] Bordeaux (France) [ED Quartet]
[16] Nancy (France) [ED Quartet]
[19-20] Paris (France), Théâtre Campagne-Première [ED Quartet]
[22] Bâle (Switzerland) [ED Quartet]
[–] Milan (Italy) [ED Quartet]
[–] Turin (Italy) [ED Quartet]
[26] Bologna (Italy) [ED Quartet]
March

[05] London, 100 Club [Ninesense]
[08] Manchester, Band On The Wall [Ninesense]
[09] Kendal, Brewery Arts Centre [Ninesense]
[10] Sheffield, Hurlfield Campus [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Alan Skidmore, Mark Charig, Harry Beckett, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
May

[21] London, 100 Club [ED Quintet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
[25] Stockwell, The Plough [ED, Nick Evans, Barry Guy & John Stevens]
June

[22] London, 100 Club [Ninesense]
Line-up: ED, Harry Beckett, Larry Stabbins, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Liam Genockey
[24] Bâle (Switerland) [Ninesense]
[late] German tour [Ninesense]
July

[24] Norwich Wensam Lodge, Music House [ED, Ivan Zagni & Louis Moholo]
August

[13] London, 100 Club [ED Quintet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
[18] Stockwell, The Plough [ED, Jeff Young, Jeff Clyne, John Stevens]
[24] Stockwell, The Plough [ED, Charig, Evans, Stabbins, Osborne, Tippett, Rogers, Stevens]
September

[12] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [Harry Miller Quintet]
Line-up: Willem Breuker (s), Radu Malfatti (to), ED (s), Harry Miller (cb), Martin van Duynhoven (d)
[28] Stockwell, The Plough [ED, Nick Evans, Barry Guy, John Stevens]
October

[23] London, Roundhouse (Camden Jazz Festival) [John Stevens Dance Orchestra]
[24] London, studio [John Stevens Dance Orchestra]
Line-up: ED, Paul Rutherford, Trevor Watts, John Martyn, Pepi Lemer, Nick Stephens, Phil Collins
November

[09] Stockwell, The Plough [ED, Ivan Zagni, Marcio Mattos & John Stevens + guest Maggie Nichols]
[18] Putney, Half-Moon [ED, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Barry Guy & John Stevens]
[28] Hammersmith, Charing Cross Association [ED, Mark Charig, Nick Evans…]
December

[03] London, 100 Club [ED Quintet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Keith Tippett, Marcio Mattos, Louis Moholo
Soft Heap tour Northern England (organised by the Jazz Centre Society)
[04] York, Arts Centre [Soft Heap]
[05] Sheffield, Brincliffe Oaks Hotel [Soft Heap]
[06] Manchester, Band On The Wall [Soft Heap]
[07] Liverpool, Blue Coat Hall [Soft Heap]
[08] Leigh, Library [Soft Heap]
[10] Dundee, Royal Centre Hotel [Soft Heap]
[11] Glasgow, Maryhill Community Hall [Soft Heap]
[12] Edinburgh, Carlton Studios [Soft Heap]

1980
February

Ludwigsburg (Germany), Tonstudio Bauer (sessions for “Boundaries”) [ED Quintet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
[15] Llantwit Major, St.Donats Arts Centre [Ninesense]
[16] Bridgwater, Arts Centre [Ninesense]
[17] Nottingham, Playhouse [Ninesense]
[18] Birmingham, Aston University [Ninesense]
[19] Guildford, Solent Suite [Ninesense]
[20] Basildon, Towngate Theatre [Ninesense]
[21] Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste College [Ninesense]
[22] Leeds, Playhouse [Ninesense]
[23] Sheffield, Hurlfield Campus [Ninesense]
[25] Liverpool, Everyman Theatre [Ninesense]
[26] Derby, College of Further Education [Ninesense]
[27] Leicester, Groby Community College [Ninesense]
March

[03] Edinburgh [Ninesense]
[05] Glasgow [Ninesense]
[06] Aberdeen [Ninesense]
[10] London, 100 Club [ED Sextet]
Line-up: ED, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Keith Tippett, Harry Miller, Louis Moholo
[28] London, Peanuts Club [ED, Dave Holdsworth, Andy Rosner, Paul Bridge]
May

[06] London, St.Paul’s [Ninesense]
[07-08] Hammersmith [Keith Tippett’s Ark]
June

[26] London, Pied Bull [ED & Frank Roberts]
[29] London, Green Man [ED, Harry Beckett, Marcio Mattos, John Stevens]
July

Bracknell festival [ED Quintet: ED, Mark Charig, Keith Tippett, Marcio Mattos, Louis Moholo]
August

[18] London, 100 Club [ED Quintet]
[28] London, Seven Dials [ED Quartet]
November

[19] London, Chats Palace [ED & Friends]

1981
April

Mark Hewins replaces Alan Gowen in Soft Heap
[15] Cardiff [Soft Heap]
[21] Leicester, Braunstone Hotel [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
[22] Nottingham, Black Boy Inn [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
[29] Sheffield, George IV [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
[30] Manchester, Band On The Wall [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
May

[01] Liverpool, Bradford Hotel [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
[02] Kendal, Brewery Arts [H.Beckett/E.Dean Quintet]
June

[08] London, 100 Club (Tribute to Alan Gowen)
July

[01] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [ED Quartet]
Line-up: ED, Wolter Wierbos (tb), Roberto Bellatalla (cb), Paul Rogers (d)
August

[12] London, BBC Studios (session for BBC3 Jazz In Britain) [London Jazz Composers Orchestra]
Line-up: ED, Marc Charig (tpt/fghn), Harry Beckett (tpt/fghn), Heinz Becker (tpt/fghn), Paul Rutherford (tb), Alan Tomlinson (tb), Radu Malfatti (tb), Melvyn Poore (tuba), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Larry Stabbins (ts/ss), Tony Coe (ts/ss/cl), Peter Brötzmann (ts/Bavarian cl), Howard Riley (p), Phil Wachsmann (vln/elec), Peter Kowald (b), Barry Guy (director/b), Tony Oxley (pc), John Stevens (pc)
[15] Islington [London], Pied Bull [Mark Charig Quartet: MC (cornet), ED (as/rec), Peter Kowald (cb) & Tony Oxley (d)]
October

[30] Loos-en-Gohelle [nr Lille] [supporting Agence Tass, also: The Work, Geoff Leigh…] [Soft Heap]
November

[01] Reims [Soft Heap]
[02] Strasbourg, ACFT [Soft Heap]

1982
March

[04] Douai (France) [Soft Heap]
[05-07] Bresse-sur-Grosne (France), A L’Ouest De La Grosne [Soft Heap]
[08-09] Lyon (France) [Soft Heap]
[10] Nancy (France) [Soft Heap]
December

[02] St.Brieuc (France) [Soft Heap]
[03] Trégunc (France) [Soft Heap]
[04] Zuydcoote (France) [Soft Heap]
[05] Lillers (France), Scandinavy Express [Soft Heap]
[06-07] Lille (France) [Soft Heap]
[08] Patay [nr Orléans] (France) [Soft Heap]
[09-10] Paris (France), Dunois [Soft Heap]
[14] London, Bull & Gate [Phil Miller Quartet]
[15] London, Merlin’s Cave [Soft Heap]

1983
January

[25] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
February

[16] London, Merlin’s Cave [Soft Heap]
[23] London, Merlin’s Cave [In Cahoots]
[24] London, Cricketers [In Cahoots]
March

[02] London, Merlin’s Cave [EDQ feat. Harry Beckett, Pip Pyle, Nick Evans?, Marcio Mattos?]
[05] Angers (France), Maison De La Culture [London Jazz Composers Orchestra]
Line-up: ED, Harry Beckett (tpt), Marc Charig (tpt), Jon Corbett (tp), John Stevens (tp or cor), Radu Malfatti (tb), Paul Rutherford (tb), Alan Tomlinson (tb), Melvyn Poore (tub), Peter Brötzmann (reeds), Tony Coe (reeds), Larry Stabbins (ts/ss), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Howard Riley (p), Philipp Wachsmann (vln), Tony Oxley (vln), Barry Guy (director/b)
[22] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[30] London, Merlin’s Cave [EDQ feat. Harry Beckett, Pip Pyle, Mark Hewins]
April

[01] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[16] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [OOAO & Elton Dean]
Line-up: Herbert de Jonge (p), Michiel de Hont (cb), Hans Houtman (d) + ED (s)
[21-24] Paris, Dunois [ED Trio with John Greaves & Marcio Mattos]
May

[01] Bresse-sur-Grosne (France), A L’Ouest De La Grosne [Soft Heap]
[03] Dijon (France) [Soft Heap]
[04] Geneva (Switzerland) [Soft Heap]
[06] Annecy (France) [Soft Heap]
[07] Béziers (France), Le Croque-Note [Soft Heap]
[10] Ghent (Belgium) [Soft Heap]
[11] Metz (France) [Soft Heap]
[26] Liverpool (France) [Soft Heap]
[27] London, Tom Hall’s Tavern [Soft Heap]
[31] London, BBC Maida Vale 5 Studio (Jazz In Britain) (broadcast Jul 19) [Soft Heap]
[31] Fulham, King’s Head [Soft Heap]
June

[01] London, Merlin’s Cave [Soft Heap]
[03] Islington [London], Empress Of Russia [EDQ feat. Pip Pyle]
[07] London (rehearsal) [In Cahoots]
[08] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[15] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[20] London, Cricketeers [In Cahoots]
[24] London, unknown venue [EDQ]
[29] London, Merlin’s Cave [EDQ with Pip Pyle, Marcio Mattos & Harry Beckett]
July

[07] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[18] London, Cricketers [In Cahoots]
[20] London, Merlin’s Cave [In Cahoots]
[21] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[25] London, ICA Theatre (Actual Festival) [KT Septet]
Line-up: Elton Dean, Mark Charig, Nick Evans, Larry Stabbins, Keith Tippett, Paul Rogers & Tony Levin
August

[03] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[05] Islington [London], Empress Of Russia [ED-M.Mattos-R.Turner]
[13] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [Rinus Groenveld Blues Quintet]
Line-up: Elton Dean (as), Rinus Groeneveld (ts), Wil van Slogteren (g), Frans Tunderman (cb), Han Bennink (d)
[17] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[23] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[26-29] London (rehearsals) [National Health]
[30-31] Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall (Edinburgh Festival) [guest with National Health]
September

[14] London, Merlin’s Cave [EDQ with Harry Beckett, Paul Rogers & Pip Pyle]
[15] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[16] Islington [London], Empress Of Russia [EDQ with Paul Rogers & Pip Pyle]
[22] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
Setlist: “Above & Below”, “Second Sight”, “Nowadays A Silhouette”, “Eastern Region”, unknown, “Calyx”, “Your Root 2”
[28] London, Merlin’s Cave [In Cahoots]
October

[13] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[15] London (rehearsal) [In Cahoots]
[17] London, BBC Studios (Jazz Today) (broadcast Nov 14) [In Cahoots]
[20] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
November

[14] London, BBC Radio Studios [BBC3 ‘Jazz Today’] [In Cahoots]
[16] London, Bull & Gate (with Steve Cook on bass) [In Cahoots]
December

[08] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
[13] London, Bull & Gate [Mark Hewins Band]
[21] London, Merlin’s Cave [In Cahoots]
[29] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]

1984
January

[09] London, Bull & Gate [ED Group]
[23] London, Bull & Gate [ED Group]
[25] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
February

[10] London, 100 Club (Harry Miller Memorial) (K&J.Tippett, E.Parker/L.Coxhill, KT Sextet, C.McGregor’s BOB)
[15] London, Bull & Gate [In Cahoots]
March

[04] London, The Place (Actualities) [London Jazz Composers Orchestra: ED, T.Watts, T.Coe, L.Stabbins, A.Tomlinson, P.Rutherford, R.Malfatti, M.Charig, K.Wheeler, J.Corbett, M.Poore, H.Riley, B.Guy]
[07] Nottingham [In Cahoots]
[11] London, King’s Head [In Cahoots]
[19] London, Bull & Gate [ED Group]
[25] Frankfurt (Germany), Jazzkeller [E.Dean-P.Ponzol-J.Schroeder-H.Hopper-J.Gallivan]
[27] Wuppertal (Germany) [E.Dean-P.Ponzol-J.Schroeder-H.Hopper-J.Gallivan]
April

[02] London, Bull & Gate [ED Group]
[16] London, Bull & Gate [ED Group]
[22-24] London (rehearsals) [In Cahoots]
[27-29] European tour [In Cahoots]
May

[02-13] European tour [In Cahoots]
June

[02] London, Seven Dials [E.Dean-K.Tippett Duo]
[06] Bracknell Jazz Festival [ED Quintet] [also: Dreamtime…]
The following Soft Heap tour was organised by Alain Eckert, who augmented the band on the occasion
[08-10] Lillers (France), Scandinavy Express (Musical Rencontr’ 84) [Soft Heap + Alain Eckert]
[12] Lille (France), La Boîte à Musique [Soft Heap + Alain Eckert]
[13] Dijon (France) [Soft Heap + Alain Eckert] (cancelled?)
[14] Chaumont (France) [Soft Heap + Alain Eckert]
[15-16] Strasbourg (France), Ladybird [Soft Heap + Alain Eckert]
[29] Bristol, Arnolfini Gallery [ED Quintet]
July

[14] Den Haag (Netherlands), North Sea Jazz Festival [OOAO & ED, K.Tippett & N.Landgren]
Line-up: Herbert de Jonge (p), Michiel de Hont (cb), Hans Houtman (d) + ED (s), Keith Tippett (p), Nils Landgren (tb)
October

The Keith Tippett Septet embark on a Jazz Services tour, performing music composed under a South West Jazz grant
[12] Brighton, Pavillion [KT Septet]
[13] Aldershot, West End Centre [KT Septet]
[14] Birmingham, Strathallan [KT Septet]
[15] Hull, Spring Street Theatre [KT Septet]
[17] Nottingham, Vino’s Wine Bar [KT Septet]
[18] Norwich, Premises [KT Septet]
[19] Bristol, Avon George [KT Septet]
[20] Exeter, Barnfield Theatre [KT Septet]
[24] Sheffield, Leadmill [KT Septet]
[25] Manchester, Band On The Wall [KT Septet]
November

[01] Stockton, Dovecot Arts Centre [KT Septet]
[02] Liverpool [KT Septet]
[03] Leeds, Playhouse [KT Septet]
December

[03] London, BBC (Jazz In Britain) [ED Quintet]
[03-20] French tour [Equip’Out]

1985
January

[10] Le Havre (France) [Soft Heap]
[17] Troyes (France) [guest with Ballester-Domancich-Weber-Pyle]
March

[14] London (rehearsal) [In Cahoots]
[18-31] In Cahoots European tour
April

[23] Paris (France) (rehearsal) [Equip’Out]
[24] Paris (France), New Morning [Equip’Out]
[26] Fontenay-aux-Roses (France), Château de Boissières [Equip’Out]
May

[02] London, BBC (Jazz In Britain) [ED Quartet]
[03-04] Toulouse (France), La Rigole [Equip’Out]
[07-08] Bordeaux (France), La Carabosse [Equip’Out]
[10-11] Castres (France), New Morning [Equip’Out]
[15] London, 100 Club (“Ogun Revisited”) [K.Tippett Sextet, also L.Moholo Viva La Black]
July

[25] London, Seven Dials [H.Hopper-E.Dean-J.Gallivan-K.Tippett + N.Evans, A.Tomlinson, J.Dvorak, J.Corbett]
October

[01-07] European tour [In Cahoots]
[11-26] French tour [Equip’Out]
[28-31] Montpellier (France), Village Studios (sessions for first Equip’Out album) [Equip’Out + Didier Malherbe]
November

[01-02] Montpellier (France), Sax’Aphone [Equip’Out]
[09] Cambridge, Spaceward Studios [beginning of sessions for “Cutting Both Ways”] [In Cahoots]
[11] London, BBC Studios [Radio 3 ‘Jazz Today’] [In Cahoots]
[–] London, Vacant Studios (Thames TV Studios) [In Cahoots]
[12-15] Cambridge, Spaceward Studios [end of sessions for “Cutting Both Ways”] [In Cahoots]
[23] Paris, Dunois [ED Quartet with Nick Evans, Marcio Mattos, Paulo Lazaro]
December

[02] Nottingham, Old Vic Tavern [ED Quintet: ED, H.Beckett, N.Evans, M.Mattos, L.Genockey]
[29] London, Bass Clef [In Cahoots]
1986
February

[23] Paris (France), Centre Américain [Equip’Out]
April

[11-16] French tour [Equip’Out]
[18] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [ED Quartet]
Line-up: ED (as), Paul Rutherford (tb), Marcio Mattos (cb/cel), Liam Genockey (d)
May

In Cahoots European tour
July

In Cahoots British dates
October

[14-26] French tour [Equip’Out]
December

[04-14] European tour [Equip’Out]

1987
March

[11-16] French tour [Equip’Out]
[14] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [Transition]
ED (as/saxello), Herbert de Jonge (p), Chiel Dhont (cb), Hans Houtman (d), Corrie van Binsbergen (g)
May

[21] London, Seven Dials [benefit concert for ED]
[31] Clermont-Ferrand (France) [Equip’Out]
June

[01-21] French tour [Equip’Out]
In Cahoots UK dates
September

[07] London, Jazz Café [ED]
[21] London, Jazz Café [ED]
[25-28] London (rehearsals) [In Cahoots]
[29] Greenwich [London], William IV [In Cahoots]
[30] Putney [London], Half-Moon [In Cahoots]
October

[–] Islington [London], Town Hall [Paul Rutherford’s Iskrasta: H.Lowther, C.Deppa, D.Amis, A.Tomlinson, D.Paton, M.Lawrence, P.McPhail, T.Watts, E.Parker, S.Picard, J.Hassan, N.Irvine, H.Riley, K.Tippett, M.Mattos, M.McGuido, L.Moholo]
November

In Cahoots Jazz Services sponsored UK tour

1988
January

[01] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-John Etheridge Quartet]
[17] London, Bass Clef [In Cahoots]
April

[30] Paris (France), Dunois [Equip’Out, guest: Didier Malherbe]
May

[06] Paris (France), Dunois [Equip’Out]
[08] Olivet [nr Orléans] (France), Moulin de la Vapeur [Equip’Out]
A one-off festival appearance is the last-ever gig by Soft Heap – Dean-Hewins-Greaves-Pyle
[11] Coutances (France), Festival ‘Jazz Sous Les Pommiers’ [Soft Heap]
[20] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean Quartet]
June

[03] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean & Howard Riley]
[19] Lillers (France) [Equip’Out]
[22] Paris (France), FIAP [Equip’Out]
[24-25] Glasgow Festival [K.Tippett, T.Watts, E.Dean, M.Mattos, L.Moholo]
[25-26] London, Jazz Café (Seen On The Green) [Elton Dean Quartet]
July

[02] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean]
[02] London, Makeshift Club [P.Rogers, N.Evans, K.Tippett, E.Dean & T.Levin]
In Cahoots UK dates and studio, with new member Fred Baker
August

[12] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
September

[early] Nice (France), jazz club residency [Equip’Out]
[11] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-John Etheridge Quartet]
October

[09] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
[20-29] French and Belgian dates [Equip’Out]
November

[26] London, BBC Studios (Jazz Today) [Elton Dean Quartet]
In Cahoots UK dates
December

[01] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
[10] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
In Cahoots UK dates
1989
February

[10] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean Quartet]
[19] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean-John Etheridge Quartet]
March

[18] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
April

[26] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Keith Tippett]
May

[07] London, Community Centre (London Jazz Saxophone Festival) [Unlimited Saxophone Company]
[30] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
June

[25] Yeovil, Bell Inn [Elton Dean-John Etheridge Quartet]
[29] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
August

[09] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
[12] London, White Hart [Elton Dean-John Burgess Trio]
September

[03] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
[07] London, Vortex (Keith Tippett Evening) [K.Tippett, J.Tippetts, M.Nicols, E.Dean & P.Dunmall]
[10] Bristol, Albert Inn [Elton Dean-Harry Beckett]
October

In Cahoots European tour (until early November)
November

[03] Colchester, Arts Centre [In Cahoots]
[15] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
December

[14] ?, Arts Centre – Rectal Room [Dean-Etheridge Quartet]
1990
May

In Cahoots Italian tour
June

[28] London, Vortex [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
July

[01] London, Jazz Café [Elton Dean Quartet]
September

[24-28] London, Vortex [ED – various line-ups]
October

[05] Paris (France), Café de la Plage [Equip’Out]
[06] Metz (France) [Equip’Out]
[10-12] Chennevières-sur-Marne [nr Paris] (France), Gimini Studio (sessions) [Equip’Out]
1991
March

[13] London, Vortex [K.Tippett, E.Dean, P.Rogers & L.Moholo]
[24] Bristol, Albert Inn [Elton Dean-Keith Tippett]
April

[05] London, Vortex [Unlimited Saxophone Company]
In Cahoots UK dates with new member Jim Dvorak
October

Elton Dean and Marcio Mattos set up a new jazz club in London’s Stoke Newington area, Jazz Rumours, located at the Rumours pub (121, Stoke Newington Rd), and running on Friday evenings, debuting on October 18th (Paul Rutherford Quartet)
November

[08] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Trio]
1992
January

[01] London, 100 Club [Dedication Orchestra: ED, H.Beckett, C.Deppa, J.Dvorak, H.Lowther, K.Wheeler, D.Amis, M.Griffiths, R.Malfatti, P.Rutherford, L.Coxhill, J.Arguelles, E.Parker, A.Skidmore, R.Warleigh, D.Bates, A.Grappy, P.Minton, M.Nicols, J.Tippetts, K.Tippett, D.Holland, L.Moholo]
[10] London, Rumours [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
February

[28] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Quartet]
March

[27] London, Vortex (Rumours) [Elton Dean Quartet: E.Dean, P.Dunmall, M.Mattos & M.Sanders]
May

[12] Blackheath Concert Hall [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
[22] London, Rumours [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
July

[04] Blackheath Concert Hall [Elton Dean-Howard Riley Quartet]
[17] London, Rumours (Jazz Rumours Festival) [Elton Dean-Harry Beckett Quartet]
October

[02] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Quintet]
[04] (Germany), Ruhr Jazz Festival [Elton Dean Quintet: E.Dean, H.Beckett; N.Evans, M.Mattos & L.Genockey]
November

[05] London, (Original) Jazz Café (Let Freedom Ring) [Elton Dean-Howard Riley]
[07] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Quartet]
Jazz Services sponsored UK tour by the Elton Dean/Howard Riley Quartet, with Paul Rogers (double bass) and Mark Sanders (drums)
[13] Bristol, Rare Music Club [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[14] London, Rumours [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[15] Brentwood, Monkeys Club [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[17] London, Water Rats [Elton Dean Trio]
[18] Southampton, John Arlott Room [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[19] Manchester, Band On The Wall [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[20] Brighton, Jazz Club [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[22] Cambridge, The Junction [ED/H.Riley Quartet]
[27] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Quartet]
1993
January

[15] London, Rumours [Elton Dean Quartet]
February

[05] Montreuil, Instants Chavirés [E.Dean-J-F.Pauvros-J.Greaves-P.Pyle]
March

In Cahoots European tour
May

[22] London [Joe Gallivan feat. ED, E.Parker, M.Mattos, P.Rutherford, J.Dvorak, N.Metcalf, A.Slater, J.Corbett, C.Deppa]
August

[20-21] Paris (France), Duc des Lombards [Equip’Out]
September

[26] Perpignan (France), Jazz Festival [E.Dean-L.Coxhill-J.Greaves-P.Pyle]
1994
February

[17] Montreuil [nr Paris] (France), Instants Chavirés [Equip’Out]
May

[15] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [E.Dean-P.Rogers-P.Pyle]
[16] Islington, King’s Head [E.Dean-P.Rogers-P.Pyle]
[28] Paris (France), La Luna [Equip’Out]
July

[14-15] Bresse-sur-Grosne (France), A L’Ouest de la Grosne (Club’s 20th anniversary) [E.Dean-P.Meyer-H.Hopper-P.Pyle + various jams]
November

[18] Limoges (France), Assecarm [Equip’Out]
[24] Breda (Netherlands), Boulevard [Short Wave + Elton Dean]
[25] Tourcoing (France), Théâtre G.Dael [Short Wave + Elton Dean]
[26] Bruxelles (Belgium), Full Moon [Short Wave]
December

[10] Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bimhuis [Dedication Orchestra]
1995
April

[13] Paris (France), Passage du Nord-Ouest [guest with Mashu]
[14] Montreuil [nr Paris] (France), Instants Chavirés [Equip’Out]
May

[03] London, King’s Head [Elton Dean + Changes]
July

[15] Bresse-sur-Grosne (France), A L’Ouest de la Grosne [Dean-Miller-Hopper-Pyle] [guest: Gaël Horelou]
[30] London, Vortex Jazz Bar (Global Warming) [HH, E.Dean, J.Dvorak, T.Marsh]
August

[30] London, King’s Head [Elton Dean & Alex Maguire + Changes]
December

In Cahoots UK tour
1996
January

In Cahoots UK tour
1997
March

[20] Manchester, Band On The Wall (radio broadcast) [Keith Tippett’s Tapestry]
September

In Cahoots concerts in the Netherlands
December

In Cahoots UK tour
1998
March

[07] London, Musart Studio (session) [ED3: Elton Dean-Roberto Bellatalla-Mark Sanders]
April

[19] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [Elton Dean-Mark Hewins Duo]
June

[28] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [Steve Miller Benefit: Phil Miller, Pip Pyle, Fred Baker, Elton Dean, Steve Miller, Lol Coxhill, Eddie Prévost, Carol Grimes, Mark Hewins & Mark Sanders]
October

In Cahoots European tour (some dates as a sextet, others as a quartet)
1999
September

[04] Augustusburg (Germany) [SoftWare – E.Dean, K.Tippett, HH, J.Marshall]
2000
January

Recording sessions for “Out Of The Blue” begin [In Cahoots]
March

Recording sessions for “Out Of The Blue” end [In Cahoots]
2001
June

[02] St.Jean-aux-Bois [nr Compiègne] (France), Les Naïades [guest with In Cahoots Trio + Doug Boyle]
September

[25] Newcastle, The Cluny [In Cahoots]
[27] Nottingham, The Bonnington Centre [In Cahoots]
[28] Hull, Adelphi Theatre [In Cahoots]
[30] Colchester, St Mary’s Art Centre [In Cahoots]
October

[03] Leeds, The Wardrobe [In Cahoots]
[04] Birmingham, Jazz and Spice [In Cahoots]
[06] Old Harlow, St John’s ARC Market Street [In Cahoots]
[08] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [In Cahoots]
November

[28] Manchester, Life Café [cancelled] [In Cahoots]
[29] Birmingham, Conservatoire of Music [In Cahoots]
[30] Hull, New Adelphi [In Cahoots]
December

[01] London, Ryan’s Bar [In Cahoots]
[08/09] Tokyo (Japan), TLG Club (“Mediage” Cinema, Odaiba) [In Cahoots]
2002
January

[07] London, Jazz Café [In Cahoots]
June

[02-04] London, Eastcote Studios (sessions for “Abracadabra”) [SoftWorks]
August

[16] Seattle (WA), Moore Theatre (Progman Cometh Festival) [guest with Glass]
[17] Seattle (WA), Moore Theatre (Progman Cometh Festival) [SoftWorks; also: Richard Sinclair & David Rees-Williams]
[18] Seattle (WA), Moore Theatre (Progman Cometh Festival) [In Cahoots; also: Daevid Allen’s University Of Errors with special guest Kevin Ayers]
September

[13-14] Les Lilas [nr Paris] (France), Le Triton [PolySoft with Elton Dean]
2003
January

London, Eastcote Studios (sessions for “All That”)
April

[22] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [In Cahoots]
May

[29-30] Les Lilas [nr Paris] (France), Le Triton (Festival Les Tritonales) [PolySoft with Elton Dean]
June

[04] Les Lilas [nr Paris] (France), Le Triton (Festival Les Tritonales) [In Cahoots]
[06] Les Lilas [nr Paris] (France), Le Triton (Festival Les Tritonales) [guest with Pip Pyle’s Bash]

August

[08-09] Tokyo (Japan) [SoftWorks]
[10] Tokyo (Japan) [SoftWorks]
[11] Osaka (Japan) [SoftWorks]
October

[23] Exeter, Phoenix Arts Centre [In Cahoots]
[31] Litchfield, Arts Centre [In Cahoots]
November

[12] Hastings, Street Jazz at the Brass Monkey [In Cahoots]
[15] London, Astoria (Progeny Festival) [In Cahoots]
2004

January

[29] Sarzana [nr La Spezia] (Italy), Jux Tap [SoftWorks]
[30] Marghera [nr Venice] (Italy), 041 [SoftWorks]
[31] Trento (Italy), Teatro Auditorium S. Chiara [SoftWorks]

February

[02] Forli (Italy), Naima Club [SoftWorks]
[03] Florence (Italy), Auditorium F.L.O.G. [SoftWorks]
March

[05] Mexicali (Mexico), Teatro Del Estrado (Baja Prog Festival) [SoftWorks] (SoftWorks’ final gig)
Setlist: “Seven Formerly”, “Alphrazallan”, “Baker’s Treat”, Sax/Guitar Duo, “Calyx”, “Kings And Queens”, “Willie The Knee”, Drum Solo, “Abracadabra”, “Madame Vintage”, “As If”, “Facelift”
April

[01] London, Vortex Jazz Bar [In Cahoots] (ED’s final gig with In Cahoots)
June

Soft Bounds formed by Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Sophia Domancich (piano & Fender Rhodes) and Simon Goubert (drums)
[17] Les Lilas [nr Paris], Le Triton (Festival Les Tritonales) [Soft Bounds]
Setlist: “Gimlet Abides” [Dean] / “First In The Wagon” [Dean], “Slightly All The Time” [Ratledge] // “Kings And Queens” [Hopper], “The Lonely Sea And The Sky” [Hopper], “La Part Des Anges” [Domancich], “Le Retour D’Emmanuel Philibert” [Goubert] // “Slightly All The Time” (middle section & “Noisette”) [encore]
October

First two gigs by a new variant of SoftWorks, the Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey deps for Marshall who has ligament problems
[09] Eskisehir Jazz Festival (Turkey) [E.Dean-J.Etheridge-H.Hopper-L.Genockey]
[15] Usti nad Lebem Festival, Czech Republik [E.Dean-J.Etheridge-H.Hopper-L.Genockey]
Setlist: “Baker’s Treat”, “Facelift”, “As If”, “Gimlet Abides”, “Strange Comforts” [Etheridge], “Wanglo Saxon”, “Miniluv”, “Willie The Knee”, “Seven For Lee”
[17] Whitstable, Horsebridge Arts Centre [ED, H.Hopper, M.Hewins & B.Loveday]
November

[26-27] Paris (France), Sunset [Soft Bounds]
Setlist: “The Day Before” [S.Domancich], “Spanish Knee”, “Kings And Queens”, “Le Retour D’Emmanuel Philibert” // “Slightly All The Time” [abridged], “Gimlet Abides”, “First In The Wagon”, “Grey Day” [E.Dean] // “La Part Des Anges”, “One Two One Two” [H.Hopper]
2005

January

[13] Les Lilas [nr Paris], Le Triton (party to celebrate opening of new restaurant at the club, and the launch of Hélène Collon’s book of photos taken at gigs at the Triton) [Elton Dean-Hugh Hopper Duo] (“La Part Des Anges”, “Kings And Queens”, “Seven For Lee” performed) [also: John Greaves solo, Lydia Domancich with Elise Caron and Marthe Vassallo, Emmanuel Bex & Olivier Py duo]

May

[04] Norwich, The Garage [HH, Mark Hewins & Elton Dean]
[10] Zaandam (Netherlands), De Kade [Soft Machine Legacy]
Setlist: “Seven For Lee”, “Ash”, “Wanglo-Saxon”, “One Two One Two”, “Baker’s Treat”, “The Grape Hounde” // “Grey Day”, drum solo, guitar & drums duo, “Big Creese”, “Kings And Queens”, “As If” // “Facelift”
[12] Southampton, The Brook [Soft Machine Legacy] (cancelled)
[13] London, Mean Fiddler [Soft Machine Legacy]
[14] Deal, Astor Theatre [Soft Machine Legacy] (cancelled)
[15] Bilston, Robin 2 Club [Soft Machine Legacy]

June

[09] Marseille (France), Le Cri du Port [Soft Bounds – ED misses gig, replaced by Jean-Michel Couchet on sax]
[11] Les Lilas [nr Paris], Le Triton (Les Tritonales) [Soft Bounds] [guest: Jean-Michel Couchet]
[17] Frasne/Pontarlier (France), Festival Jazz En Franche-Comté [Soft Bounds] [also: Dondestan Tribute To Robert Wyatt]
Due to John Marshall suffering from hernia, he is replaced by Mark Fletcher and Liam Genockey on Soft Machine Legacy dates, and most of the projected Italian tour is postponed
[20] Barcelona (Spain) [Soft Machine Legacy – Mark Fletcher on drums]
[22] Glasgow, Spiegel Tent (Glasgow Festival) [Soft Machine Legacy – Mark Fletcher on drums]

July

[01] Mendrisio (Switzerland), Piazalle della Valle (Lugano Jazz Festival) [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]
[06-07] Paris (France), New Morning [Soft Machine Legacy – Mark Fletcher on drums]
[09] Perugia (Italy), Umbria Jazz Festival [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]
[11] Rome (Italy) [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]
[12] Ascoli Piceno (Italy) [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]
[14] Genova (Italy) [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]
[16] Olbia (Sardinia/Italy) [Soft Machine Legacy – Liam Genockey on drums]

September

[04-05] London, Eastcote Studios (sessions for album) [Soft Machine Legacy]

October

[18] Paris (France), Glaz’Art [guest with The Wrong Object (second set only)]
Setlist: “Seven For Lee”, “The Unbelievable Truth” [M.Delville], “Unicycle” [WO], “Basho”, “Cinnimingus” [M.Delville], “Baker’s Treat”, “Other People” [M.Delville]

November

[12] Leverkusen (Germany), Leverkusen Jazztage (broadcast on WDR-TV) [Soft Machine Legacy]
[17] Troyes (France) [Soft Bounds]
[23] Cagliari [Sardinia] (Italy) [Soft Machine Legacy]

December

[12] Paris (France), New Morning (filmed for DVD) [Soft Machine Legacy]
[15] Marseille (France), Montevideo Club [Soft Machine Legacy]
[16] Nice (France), Cedac de Cimiez [Soft Machine Legacy]
2006

February

[08] Elton Dean dies in London