Cruel Frederick

Southern California free of charge jazz outfit Cruel Frederick existed through the past due ’80s and early ’90s, where period they recorded two albums for the renowned SST label. The group paid homage to such jazz symbols as Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, and specifically Albert Ayler through their music in addition to their song game titles. Cruel Frederick’s initial record, Birth of the Cruel (1988), included a lineup of Lynn Johnston on saxophones and clarinets, Jacob Cohn on alto saxophone, Man Bennett on bass and trombone, and Jason Kahn on drums. For the follow-up, 1991’s WE HAVE BEEN the Music We Play, just Johnston and Bennett continued to be up to speed, with Mike Ezzo overtaking on drums.