Music writer and musician Hank Shteamer talks about Mosaic’s new Henry Threadgill boxed set, The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air, for which Shteamer wrote the liner notes. In this interview, Shteamer talks about the two-decade period covered by the set; the amazing variety of Threadgill’s bands and compositions; Threadgill’s infectious humor; and how Threadgill differs from other musical iconoclasts. Get the boxed set at Mosaic’s site, and read more of Hank Shteamer’s writing at his excellent blog, Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches.

Tracks used in this episode: Card Five: Open Air Suit; Come Carry The Day; Salute To The Enema Bandit; Paille Street; Noisy Flowers; Sweet Holy Rag.

NOTE: Listen to Henry Threadgill on The Jazz Session talking about his Zooid project.

NOTE 2: A poem inspired by one of the tracks on the Mosaic boxed set: “Threadgill’s birds”