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Malachi Favors

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Malachi Favors was an American jazz bassist who became known as a member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. His year of birth is uncertain. Most reference works give 1937, but after his death his daughter said it was 1927. He played mainly double bass, but also bass guitar, banjo, zither, gong and other instruments. At fifteen he started on the double bass and after high school he played professionally. He worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard, among others, and in 1959 recorded an LP with the pianist Andrew Hill. Later he added Maghostut to his name.

Music and breakthrough

In 1965 he was a co-founder of the AACM, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in Chicago, and played in Muhal Richard Abrams's Experimental Band. From 1966 he worked with Roscoe Mitchell. From that group the Art Ensemble of Chicago grew. Outside that group he also played with Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp and Dewey Redman. His well-known records include Sightsong, duets with Abrams from 1975, and the solo album Natural & Spiritual from 1978. African Magic in 1979 and The Ritual in 1986 were also released under his name. In 1994 he played with the oud player Roman Bunka and recorded Color Me Cairo.

Influence

Favors played in free jazz, but also in bebop and hard bop. He brought a deep, supporting bass sound to a group that also set itself apart with small instruments and theatre. He died in 2004.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording by the Art Ensemble of Chicago and notice Favors's double bass, which lays the ground between the horns and the percussion.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists