Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Trumpter Arthur Brooks, a student of Milford Graves, Cecil Taylor and Bill Dixon, recorded his only album as a leader to date, 'Nightcaller', in 1978. The album is the only officially-released recording documenting the Black Music Division at Bennington College.
Having studied music at Antioch College, Brooks made his debut on the self-titled album by Brute Force featuring Sonny Sharrock, Ted Daniels and others in 1970, shortly followed by the self-titled album by Birigwa. From 1973 until 1997, he taught as teaching assistant and then as professor of music at Bennington College under the leadership of Bill Dixon. Brooks' recorded history is sparse. Along with 'Nightcaller', he appears on the two volumes of Bill Dixon's 'In Italy' and on the Collective 4tet's 'In Transition'. However, Brooks continues to perform in the Vermont area with Ensemble V, a democratic ensemble of shifting personnel. Recent recordings can be heard on his soundcloud page: soundcloud.com/arthurbrooksensemblev.
A video of a duo performance with vocalist/movement artist Patricia Bardi can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=510rmi8PZ5s
The excerpt of 'Nightcaller' posted here is intended to draw attention to Brooks' neglected work. Please support the artist and purchase digital downloads or copies of the original vinyl stock at: arthurbrooksensemblev.bandcamp.com/album/nightcaller
Arthur Brooks / Ensemble V*
*Bennington College Black Music Division
Maureen Hoy - flute
Arthur Brooks - trumpet, flugelhorn
Jeff Hoyer - trombone
Steve Simon - tenor saxophone
Paul Austerlitz - bass clarinet
Kevin Campbell - amplified guitar
Beverly Dyer - 'cello
Laurie Moses - piano
Chris Faris - double bass
Sydney Smart - trap drums
Recorded June 6, 1977, Paul Robeson House, Bennington College, Bennington, VT
Liner notes by Bill Dixon
Trumpter Arthur Brooks, a student of Milford Graves, Cecil Taylor and Bill Dixon, recorded his only album as a leader to date, 'Nightcaller', in 1978. The album is the only officially-released recording documenting the Black Music Division at Bennington College.
Having studied music at Antioch College, Brooks made his debut on the self-titled album by Brute Force featuring Sonny Sharrock, Ted Daniels and others in 1970, shortly followed by the self-titled album by Birigwa. From 1973 until 1997, he taught as teaching assistant and then as professor of music at Bennington College under the leadership of Bill Dixon. Brooks' recorded history is sparse. Along with 'Nightcaller', he appears on the two volumes of Bill Dixon's 'In Italy' and on the Collective 4tet's 'In Transition'. However, Brooks continues to perform in the Vermont area with Ensemble V, a democratic ensemble of shifting personnel. Recent recordings can be heard on his soundcloud page: soundcloud.com/arthurbrooksensemblev.
A video of a duo performance with vocalist/movement artist Patricia Bardi can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=510rmi8PZ5s
The excerpt of 'Nightcaller' posted here is intended to draw attention to Brooks' neglected work. Please support the artist and purchase digital downloads or copies of the original vinyl stock at: arthurbrooksensemblev.bandcamp.com/album/nightcaller
Arthur Brooks / Ensemble V*
*Bennington College Black Music Division
Maureen Hoy - flute
Arthur Brooks - trumpet, flugelhorn
Jeff Hoyer - trombone
Steve Simon - tenor saxophone
Paul Austerlitz - bass clarinet
Kevin Campbell - amplified guitar
Beverly Dyer - 'cello
Laurie Moses - piano
Chris Faris - double bass
Sydney Smart - trap drums
Recorded June 6, 1977, Paul Robeson House, Bennington College, Bennington, VT
Liner notes by Bill Dixon
