Henry Threadgill

He performed as a Percussionist in high school marching bands, and served briefly in a U.S. Army band.

Threadgill is notable as one of "modern" or "avant-garde" Jazz 's most unique composers. His dense, elaborate, multi-layered music is often strictly scored, in contrast to the loose, improvisatory feel of much jazz. Elements of traditional Africa n music, Mexican music, Folk Music and Opera are often as prominently featured as traditional jazz and Blues Music .

Threadgill often assembles groups with distinctive names and unusual instrumentation. His ''Sextett'' was actually a seven piece ensemble, typically consisting of Threadgill, two Drum mers, Double Bass , Cello , Trombone and Trumpet ; Threadgill variously said he considered the two Drum mers one unit, or that he considered himself a Conductor as much as a performer. ''Very Very Circus'' consisted of Threadgill, a French Horn ist (or, in an earlier incarnation, a Trombone player), two Tuba s, two Electric Guitar s and a Drummer ( Gene Lake or Pheeroan Aklaff ). Very Very Circus has also been augmented with other instruments, including Violin , Pipa , Harmonium , Oud , Afro-Venezuelan drummers, and vocalists.

His group ''Make a Move'' consisted of Threadgill, Brandon Ross on guitars, Tony Cedras on Accordion and Harmonium , Stomu Takeishi on bass, and J.T. Lewis on drums.

Threadgill has recorded or performed with Anthony Braxton , Muhal Richard Abrams , David Murray and Bill Laswell , among others. He cofounded the trio Air .

He was married to singer Cassandra Wilson .

Threadgill is a member of the AACM .

DISCOGRAPHY (AS LEADER)