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Paul Rutherford

1940 – 2007

English free improvising trombonist

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About Paul Rutherford

Lived 1940 – 2007 (aged 67). Paul Rutherford was a British jazz musician, trombonist and musician.

Paul William Rutherford (29 February 1940 – 5 August 2007) Rutherford initially played saxophone but switched to trombone. During the 1960s, he taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

In 1970, Rutherford, guitarist Derek Bailey and bassist Barry Guy formed the improvising group Iskra 1903, which lasted until 1973.

In November 2007, a memorial concert for Rutherford took place at the Red Rose Club in North London, at which musician friends played free jazz. In recognition of Rutherford's strong attachment to Cuba, which dated back to a 1986 tour he had undertaken as part of the British Council-sponsored Siger Band, his family donated three trombones and a euphonium to the Music Fund for Cuba.

Discography As leader 1970.01 – In Backward Times – Emanem (2017) (Paul Rutherford, Iskra 1903) (nd) 1972.11 – Sequences 72 & 73 – Emanem (1997) (Paul Rutherford, Iskra 1903, London Jazz Composers Orchestra) (nd) 1974.07 – The Gentle Harm of the Bourgeoisie – Emanem (1975) (Paul Rutherford) (1997 – Emanem, 2011 – Po Torch) 1975.11 – Solo in Berlin 1975 – Emanem (2007) (Paul Rutherford) (nd) 1976.05 – Old Moers Almanac – Ring Records (1976) (Paul Rutherford, Evan Parker, Hans Dulfer, Arjen Gorter, Rob du Bois, Peter Bennink, Martin van Duynhoven, Misha Mengelberg) (nd) 1977.02 – Neuph: Compositions for Euphonium and Trombone– Sweet Folk and Country (1978) (Paul Rutherford) (2005 – Emanem) 1977.05 – Tetralogy – Emanem (2009) (Paul Rutherford, Paul Rogers, Nigel Coombes, Iskra 1903) (nd) 1977.11 – Paul Rutherford/Paul Lovens – Po Torch (1978) (Paul Rutherford, Paul Lovens) (2023 – Po Torch) 1980.03 – To Fall a Victim to Ice-Cream's Charm – L'Orchestra (1980) (Paul Rutherford) (nd) 1983.03 – Gheim– Ogun (1986) (Paul Rutherford) (2004 – Emanem) 1986.11 – Trombolenium – Emanem (2002) (Paul Rutherford) (nd) 1988.11 – Rogues – Emanem (1996) (Paul Rutherford, Derek Bailey) (nd) 1997.10 – The First Full Turn - Emanem (1998) (Paul Rutherford, Lawrence Casserley, Philipp Wachsmann - RoTToR) (nd) 1999.05 – The Conscience - NoBusiness (2017) (Paul Rutherford, Sabu Toyozumi) (nd) 1999.08 – Raahe '99 – Slam (2012) (Paul Rutherford, Jari Hongisto, Il Vento Chiaro) (nd 2002.04 – Chicago 2002 – Emanem (2002) (Paul Rutherford, Torsten Müller, Dylan van der Schyff) (nd) 2004.03 – Iskra³ – Psi (2005) (Paul Rutherford, Philipp Wachsmann, Evan Parker) (nd) 2004.04 – Hoxha – Spool (2005) (Paul Rutherford, Ken Vandermark, Torsten Müller, Dylan van der Schyff) (nd) 2004.11 – The Zone– Konnex (2006) (Paul Rutherford, Harris Eisenstadt, Paul Rogers) (nd) 2017.06 – Are We in Diego? – WhirrbooM! (2018) (Paul Rutherford, Ken Vandermark, Torsten Müller, Dylan van der Schyff) (nd)

With Iskra 1903 Iskra 1903 (Incus, 1972) reissued as Chapter One 1970-1972 (Emanem, 2000) Iskra Nckpa 1903 (Maya, 1995) Frankfurt 1991 (Emanem, 2001) Buzz Soundtrack (Emanem, 2002) Chapter Two (1981/3) (Emanem, 2006) Goldsmiths (Emanem, 2011) South on the Northern (Emanem, 2013)

As sideman With Lol Coxhill Instant Replay (Nato, 1983) Before My Time (Chabada, 1987) The Holywell Concert (Slam, 1990) Termite One (Bruce's Fingers, 1990) Spectral Soprano (Emanem, 2002) Milwaukee 2002 (Emanem, 2003) Out to Launch (Emanem, 2003)

With Elton Dean Welcomet (Impetus, 1987) The Vortex Tapes (Slam, 1992) Elton Dean's Newsense (Slam, 1998)

With Paul Dunmall The Great Divide (Cuneiform, 2001) Bridging (Clean Feed, 2003) I Wish You Peace (Cuneiform, 2004) Shooters Hill (FMR, 2004)

With Globe Unity Orchestra Live in Wuppertal (FMP, 1973) Der Alte Mann Bricht...Sein Schweigen (FMP, 1974) Bavarian Calypso & Good Bye (FMP, 1975) Evidence Vol. 1 (FMP, 1976) Into the Valley Vol. 2 (FMP, 1976) Jahrmarkt & Local Fair (Po Torch, 1977) Pearls (FMP, 1977) Improvisations (Japo, 1978) Hamburg '74 (FMP, 1979) Compositions (Japo, 1980) Rumbling (FMP, 1991) Globe Unity 2002 (Intakt, 2003) Baden-Baden '75 (FMP, 2011)

With Barry Guy Ode (Incus, 1972) Zurich Concerts (Intakt, 1988) Harmos (Intakt, 1989) Double Trouble (Intakt, 1990) Portraits (Intakt, 1994) Three Pieces for Orchestra (Intakt, 1997) Double Trouble Two (Intakt, 1998)

With George Haslam 1989 and All That (Slam, 1989) Level Two (Slam, 1993) Cuban Meltdown (Slam, 2007)

With Tony Oxley 4 Compositions for Sextet (CBS, 1970) Ichnos (RCA Victor, 1971) Tony Oxley (Incus, 1975) A Birthday Tribute: 75 years (Incus, 2013) recorded in 1977 and 1993 Unreleased 1974–2016 (Discus, 2022) recorded in 1974, 1981, and 2016

With Spontaneous Music Ensemble Challenge (Eyemark, 1966) Withdrawal (Emanem, 1997) Frameworks (Emanem, 2007) Trio & Triangle (Emanem, 2008)

With John Stevens 4,4,4 (View, 1980) Freebop (Affinity, 1982) The Life of Riley (Affinity, 1984) A Luta Continua (Konnex, 1994) Blue (Culture Press, 1998)

With Mike Westbrook Release (Deram, 1968) Marching Song (Deram, 1970) Mike Westbrook's Love Songs (Deram, 1970) Metropolis (RCA/Neon, 1971) Citadel & Room 315 (RCA Victor, 1975) Plays for the Record (Transatlantic, 1976) Love & Dream and Variations (Transatlantic, 1976) Goose Sauce (Original, 1978)

With others Maarten Altena, PISA 1980: Improvisors' Symposium (Incus, 1981) Han Bennink, A European Proposal (Horo, 1979) Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Live in Japan '96 (DIW, 1997) Anthony Braxton, Trio (London) 1993 (Leo, 1993) John Wolf Brennan, Through the Ear of a Raindrop (Leo, 1998) Peter Brotzmann, The Marz Combo Live in Wuppertal (FMP, 1993) Peter Brotzmann, Fuck de Boere (Atavistic, 2001) Centipede, Septober Energy (RCA/Neon, 1971) Tony Coe, Le Chat Se Retourne (Nato, 1984) Henry Cow, Henry Cow with Mike Westbrook Brass Band and Frankie Armstrong (ReR, 2006) Death in Vegas, Dubs (Concrete, 1996) Death in Vegas, Dead Elvis (Concrete, 1997) Bob Downes, Crossing Borders (Reel, 2009) Bob Downes, New York Suite (Openian, 2011) Joe Gallivan, Innocence (Cadence, 1992) Giorgio Gaslini, Message (BASF, 1973) Giorgio Gaslini, Jean-Luc Ponty Meets Giorgio Gaslini (Associati, 1974) Peter Kowald, Peter Kowald Quintet (FMP, 1973) Anne LeBaron, 1, 2, 4, 3 (Innova, 2010) Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Solar Fire (Bronze, 1973) Misha Mengelberg, Groupcomposing (Instant Composers Pool, 1978) New Jazz Orchestra, Western Reunion London 1965 (Vocalion, 2006) Evan Parker, The Ericle of Dolphi (Po Torch, 1989) Evan Parker, Waterloo 1985 (Emanem, 1999) Krzysztof Penderecki, Don Cherry, Actions (Philips, 1971) Gilles Peterson, Impressed 2 with Gilles Peterson (Universal, 2004) Jon Rose, Forward of Short Leg (Dossier, 1987) Mario Schiano, And So On (Splasc(H) 1992) Mario Schiano, Used to Be Friends (Splasc(H) 1996) Manfred Schoof, European Echoes (FMP, 1969) Chris Spedding, Songs Without Words (EMI/Harvest, 2015) Spring Heel Jack, AMaSSED (Thirsty Ear, 2002) John Surman, John Surman (Deram, 1969) Keith Tippett, Live at Le Mans (Red Eye Music, 2007) Fred Van Hove, Suite for B... City (FMP, 1997) Alexander von Schlippenbach, The Living Music (Quasar, 1969) Alexander von Schlippenbach, Globe Unity 67/70 (Atavistic, 2001) Philipp Wachsmann, Free Zone Appleby 2006 (Psi, 2007) Alan Wakeman, The Octet Broadcasts 1969 and 1979 (Gearbox, 2020) Charlie Watts, Live at Fulham Town Hall (CBS, 1986) Kenny Wheeler, Music for Large & Small Ensembles (ECM, 1990) Norma Winstone, Edge of Time (Argo, 1972)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Paul William Rutherford

People in Paul Rutherford's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Paul Rutherford's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Paul Rutherford?

English free improvising trombonist

When was Paul Rutherford born?

Paul Rutherford was born on 29 February 1940 in Greenwich.

When did Paul Rutherford die?

Paul Rutherford died on 5 August 2007 in Greater London.

What was Paul Rutherford's occupation?

Paul Rutherford was a jazz musician, trombonist and musician.

What nationality was Paul Rutherford?

Paul Rutherford was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Paul Rutherford

· Wikidata: Q177613

· DBpedia: Paul Rutherford (trombonist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Paul Rutherford. https://biography.guide/paul-rutherford-jazz-musician/

MLA: "Paul Rutherford." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/paul-rutherford-jazz-musician/.

Chicago: "Paul Rutherford." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/paul-rutherford-jazz-musician/.

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