Centipede (band)
| Company type | Large ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Keith Tippett |
| Defunct | 1975 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, France, Netherlands |
Key people | Keith Tippett, Robert Fripp (producer) |
| Products | Septober Energy (album) |
Centipede was a British jazz and progressive rock large ensemble comprising more than 50 musicians, under the leadership of British avant-garde jazz pianist Keith Tippett. Established in 1970, the group brought together emerging British jazz and rock artists from notable bands such as Soft Machine, King Crimson, Nucleus, and Blossom Toes. Centipede held multiple concerts across the UK, embarked on a tour in France, and produced the double album Septober Energy, with production handled by Robert Fripp, before disbanding in 1971. A brief reunion occurred in 1975 for performances at French jazz festivals.
History
In 1970, Keith Tippett created Centipede to present his ambitious composition Septober Energy. The lineup included members from his own Keith Tippett Group, as well as musicians from British progressive rock and jazz-rock outfits like Soft Machine (featuring Robert Wyatt and Elton Dean), Nucleus (with Karl Jenkins and Ian Carr), King Crimson (including Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield), alongside students from the London School of Music. The piece consisted of four movements that served as frameworks for improvisation by the ensemble. Their inaugural performance took place at London's Lyceum Theatre on 15 November 1970.
During November 1970, Centipede toured France, delivering notable shows at Bordeaux’s Alhambra Theatre. They also appeared at events in the Netherlands and various arts festivals throughout the UK. Reviews were mixed; some critics considered Tippett's compositions overly lengthy, whereas others applauded the daring nature of the music.
In April 1971, Neon Records—a subsidiary label of British RCA—contracted Centipede to record Septober Energy. The album was produced by Robert Fripp and issued exclusively in the UK in October 1971. Tippett had contributed to three King Crimson albums but declined an offer to join their lineup. While several King Crimson members participated in the recording sessions, Fripp concentrated on production rather than performing.
Due to financial constraints, Centipede was scaled down and performed two London concerts promoting the album: one at Royal Albert Hall in October and another at Rainbow Theatre in December. Despite these efforts, Septober Energy garnered only modest critical recognition and no further bookings ensued; consequently, the ensemble dissolved by the end of 1971.
RCA released Septober Energy in the United States in 1974 aiming to capitalize on Fripp’s reputation; however, it did not achieve commercial success due to inadequate promotion and absence of touring activities. The group briefly reconvened in October 1975 with King Crimson’s David Cross joining for appearances at French jazz festivals.
Tippett characterized Centipede as a predominantly artistic venture motivated by creative exploration rather than commercial gain. Their debut concert was organized as a benefit for the Jazz Centre Society, initially intending to feature up to one hundred musicians.
After Centipede's dissolution, Tippett established The Ark, another large-scale jazz group that recorded Frames (Music For An Imaginary Film) released by Ogun Records in 1978.
Recordings
- Septober Energy (1971, double LP, Neon Records)
Members
The following musicians contributed to Centipede’s album Septober Energy:
- Violins
- Wendy Treacher
- Jihn Trussler
- Roddy Skeping
- Wilf Gibson (lead violin)
- Carol Slater
- Louise Jopling
- Garth Morton
- Channa Salononson
- Steve Rowlandson
- Mica Gomberti
- Colin Kitching
- Philip Saudek
- Esther Burgi
- Cellos
- Michael Hurwitz
- Timothy Kramer
- Suki Towb
- John Rees-Jones
- Katherine Thulborn
- Catherine Finnis
- Trumpets
- Peter Parkes
- Mick Collins
- Ian Carr (flugelhorn)
- Mongezi Feza (pocket cornet)
- Mark Charig (cornet)
- Alto saxophones
- Elton Dean (saxello)
- Jan Steele (flute)
- Ian McDonald
- Dudu Pukwana
- Tenor saxophones
- Baritone saxophones
- Dave White (clarinet)
- Karl Jenkins (oboe)
- John Williams (bass and soprano saxophones)
- Trombones
- Nick Evans
- Dave Amis
- Dave Perrottet
- Paul Rutherford
- Drums and percussion
- John Marshall
- Tony Fennell
- Robert Wyatt
- Vocalists
- Basses
- Roy Babbington (bass guitar)
- Gill Lyons
- Harry Miller
- Jeff Clyne
- Dave Markee
- Brian Belshaw
- Guitar
- Piano and musical direction