Zytron
About Zytron
Zytron was the amalgam of avant garde saxophonist Bert Wilson with the electric sensibilities of Hammond, Wurlitzer electric piano and electric bass, all propelled by the insistent undercurrent of Zitro’s dynamic drumming. We created many compositions in odd time signatures – and the Big Sur folk would congregate and dance till the sun came up…
Handmade in Big Sur
About Handmade in Big Sur
The band was ready to record, but needed an ‘angel.’ Zitro went to Los Angeles, to look for an “L.A. lawyer with yellow shoes.” What he came up with was Terry Steinhart, an L.A. lawyer with a license plate “MAYBE 7.”
We moved to LA, spent a month rehearsing at the lawyer’s house, and recorded the tracks in a few days at a small eight-track studio (at the time, a one-inch eight-track recorder was considered a good-sized device.) The music went down smoothly, and the album was ready to release, but the lawyer didn’t come through, and we all moved back to Big Sur (except the second keyboardist, Michael Cohen, who chose to remain in LA. Dennis Parker moved to Mexico and became the Grammy-winning producer of El Haragan.
About the Music
Big Tut
Big Tut is the ‘street name’ of one of Big Sur’s fabled characters from the seventies. Large body, large heart, large personality, Tut was one of the honchos of the Big Sur scene and hosted many gatherings of the clan at his built-up collective near Bixby Creek. The song has words, though no one sings here. The rhythm is 14/4, divided 3-4-4-3.
Soft Morning
Soft Morning is just that, a slow, gentle, balladic exploration. Originally, there was a second part which was a hard-rock kicking 4/4/4/5 time frame, but the slow rhythm is 17/4, divided 6/6/5.
Transplacement of the Underbearing
Transplacement of the Underbearing wins the award as most rhythmically complex song of the album, as it was written in 22/8, 8½.4 and 5/4. (I should also add that of all the music on this site, this is my favorite recorded organ solo…
Haiku
Haiku was originally recorded on a 4-track Tascam 3340 recorder at the band’s house in Palo Colorado Canyon, Big Sur. There was a large, walk-in fireplace that provided a perfect reverb environment, and the recording came out really great. This version, recorded in the LA studio, does not convey the unique interest and complexity of the original, but it is nevertheless a very nice recording. Zitro overdubs and plays both parts.
Water’s Edge
Water’s Edge is designed as a follow-up to the previous piece, utilizing Wurlitzer electric piano, Echoplex and Hammond sustaining parts for a rich experience.
Reminiscence
Reminiscence is in 15/4, divided 4-4-4-3, with a rubato intro. This has been recorded numerous times, and can be found in several versions on this site.
Flower Lady
Flower Lady, originally known as Zytron and the Flower Lady was written by James Zitro for Hannah, his lady of the era.
People’s Republic
People’s Republic utilizes a tortoise shell for the primary rhythmic accompaniment.
Homage á Zitro
Homage á Zitro was written by the group’s other keyboardist, Michael Cohen. A brilliant pianist, he has performed with Zitro in the Charles Lloyd band.
Personnel
- Bert Wilson: Saxophones, Flute
- Robin Hough: Guitar
- Michael Cohen: Acoustic Piano
- David ‘Dasher’ Kempton: Keyboards
- Dennis Parker: Electric Bass
- James Zitro: Drums, Percussion
Live at Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society is a private home in Half Moon Bay that served as a venue for many of the Bay Area’s top talent. This gig transpired on a beautiful summer day, the audience was spread all about the property with picnic baskets and bottles of wine. The band was in top form, and a great time was had by all
Big Greasy Elephant
Big Greasy Elephant is a cooker I wrote in 11/8.
Level Flight
Level Flight refers to the 1970 Richard Bach novella, Jonathan Livingston Seagull and his teacher’s admonition – “Begin with level flight.” The meter is a relaxed 7/4 divided 4-3, for an easy introduction to odd meter performance.
Big Tut
Big Tut is yet another performance of this Zytron classic.
Chen, the Arousing
Chen is a rework of an original composition from my first electronic album.
Dusk
Dusk is a Zitro original
Reminiscence
Reminiscence is a 15/4 Hindustani-style melody with rubato intro and recap.
Freedom Jazz Dance
Freedom Jazz Dance, the Eddie Harris iconic power groove..
Personnel
- Bert Wilson: Saxophones, Flute
- David ‘Dasher’ Kempton: Keyboards
- Dennis Parker: Electric Bass
- James Zitro: Drums, Percussion
Presenting Chakra – Zytron with guitar
About Chakra
Big Sur’s answer to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chakra was Zytron V2.0, the amalgam of the new jazz-rock idiom applied to electric guitar with all the power and subtleties engendered by the new timbral options..
Terry Secor, AKA ‘Flash’, or the ‘Alton Flash’ came to Big Sur via Alton Illinois, and soon proved a capable and dynamic member of the band. The addition of electric guitar to the Zytron band added a more rock-tinged flavor to the sound, and the dancers loved it. Here is the band at one of its favorite performance spaces, the River Inn in Big Sur.
Heavy Karma
Heavy Karma is a James Zitro original from before the band was formed.
Top of Topanga
Top of Topanga is another Zytron original reflecting the band’s fascination with odd time signatures and Indian-style melodies.
Soft Morning
Soft Morning used to be our morning warm-up in the band’s Westmere days, rehearsing in a hollow below the cabins.
Westmere
Westmere is a call-to-action for the gang of Big Sur residents, hipsters and gurus that frequented Big Tut’s Demesnes…
Two More Albums!
Recent archeological digs have unearthed rare, never-before heard recordings of the Zytron/Chakra experience. These tapes have been converted and uploaded for your enjoyment (I hope.) This was during the transition from Bert Wilson’s wild and Coltrane-Meets-Sonny-Simmons forays into multiphonics and metaphysical romps and the introduction of the rock influences of Terry Secor.
Zytron At The Ashcroft
This was a very special period when both Wheels and Flash were available, enjoy the amalgam!
Side Of The Road
Side Of The Road is a James Zitro original rap that is perfectly at home in today’s world.
Gargantua
Gargantua is a complex ,low-range power groove.
Green Sun God
Green Sun God is another yearning call from Zitro.
Big Tut
Big Tut with all players, no vocal
Topanga
Topanga is about a venue in Los Angeles, a house, recording studio, nudist colony, restaurant and hippie haven.
Zytron At The Bear’s Lair – Berkeley
Recorded in 1973 at the Student Union.
About Zytron at the Bear’s Lair
The updated Zytron Band with guitarist Terry ‘Flash’ Secor and bassist Dave Marotta played two nights at the Bear’s Lair at UC Berkeley in 1973. Our friend and sometime roommate Bob Budd recorded the evenings and much fun was had. Though the turnout was low, appreciation was high…
