Andrew Cyrille

Life and career

Cyrille was born on November 10, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York into a Haitian family. He began studying science at St. John's University, but was already playing jazz in the evenings and switched his studies to the Juilliard School. His first drum teachers were fellow Brooklyn-based drummers Willie Jones and Lenny McBrowne; through them, Cyrille met Max Roach. Nonetheless, Cyrille became a disciple of Philly Joe Jones, who in some performances such as Time Waits used Cyrille's drum kit.

His first professional engagement was as an accompanist of singer Nellie Lutcher, and he had an early recording session with Coleman Hawkins. Trumpeter Ted Curson introduced him to pianist Cecil Taylor when Cyrille was 18.

He joined the Cecil Taylor unit in 1964, and stayed for about 10 years, eventually performing drum duos with Milford Graves. In addition to recording as a bandleader, he has recorded and/or performed with musicians such as David Murray, Irène Schweizer, Marilyn Crispell, Carla Bley, Butch Morris and Reggie Workman among others. Cyrille is currently a member of the group, Trio 3, with Oliver Lake and Reggie Workman.

As leader

As sideman

With Geri Allen

With Ahmed Abdul-Malik

With Billy Bang

With Bill Barron

With Carla Bley

With Jean-Paul Bourelly

With Charles Brackeen

With Anthony Braxton

With Marion Brown

With Dave Burrell

With John Carter

With Walt Dickerson

With Charlie Haden

With Coleman Hawkins

With Jazz Composer's Orchestra

With Leroy Jenkins

With Oliver Lake

With David Murray

With Horace Tapscott

With Cecil Taylor

With Bob Thiele Collective