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The Brillophone
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Chris Allen, on his Japanese Knotweed flute, and "Wildman," jamming during a Central Park tour lunch break.
Photo by Oneta Jackson |
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The brillophone is an instrument you make by cupping your hands and clapping them in front of your mouth. You form a small, circular opening with your lips, hold your breath, and open your throat as though you're going to swallow or yawn. Air from the hole above your thumbs forcefully enters your mouth and creates an echo. You create different notes and tones by changing the shape of your mouth and lips. I learned this from my dad, Henry Brill, who was a prizewinning amateur ballroom dancer in Berlin in the 1920s, as well as an amateur entertainer. Where he picked it up I'll never know. |
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Henry Brill in 1964
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I play jazz, a tradition with Afro-American plus western musical roots and strong emphasis on innovation, improvisation, and rhythmic swing.
My greatest musical and creative inspiration is cornetist/pianist/composer Bix Beiderbecke. |
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Bix Beiderbecke (center) with clarinetist Don Murray (left) and trombonist Tommy Dorsey (right)
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I loved the lyrical, swinging, cool music and celestial tone of this tragically short-lived musical genius, even before I discovered that we share the same birthday (March 10).
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I'm Looking Over a 4-Leaf Clover
— a Quicktime Movie — |
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WILDMAN JAM
From the Wild Party of December 1987 with Mike Kolodny alto sax and Laura Pierce vocal |