Human Arts Ensemble
| Company type | Musical collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Fate | Ceased operations in 1977 after public funding was discontinued |
| Headquarters | St. Louis , United States |
| Products | Free jazz music |
The Human Arts Ensemble was a musical collective active during the 1970s in St. Louis, Missouri, known for its exploration of free jazz and its loose connections with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and the Black Artists' Group (BAG). Established in 1971, the ensemble prioritized inclusivity, welcoming members without regard to racial background. The group ceased operations in 1977 after public funding for organizations associated with radical movements was discontinued.
James Marshall, co-founder and saxophonist, has carried forward the ensemble’s artistic ethos from Tucson, Arizona. Following his move from St. Louis, he and fellow co-founder Carol briefly revived the project within a musician commune in Oregon; however, this effort was short-lived. In Tucson, Marshall has continued to emphasize free-form, emotionally expressive jazz improvisation.
Marshall worked closely with Ajule Eneke Rutlin, a BAG member who was also among the original founders of HAE and who passed away in 2006. From its beginning, the Human Arts Ensemble sought to produce music that served as a heartfelt response to issues such as racism, consumerism, greed, and war. The Tucson phase of the ensemble maintains this commitment by organizing benefit concerts during the 1990s aimed at supporting Iraqi civilians impacted by US/UN sanctions and by actively participating in anti-war demonstrations.
Discography
- 1972: Whisper of Dharma (Universal Justice)
- 1973: Poem of Gratitude (Universal Justice)
- 1973: Under the Sun (Freedom)
- 1974: Streets Of St. Louis credited to Charles Bobo Shaw with Human Arts Ensemble (Moers Music)
- 1978: Live In Trio Performance Vols. 1 & 2 (Circle Records (Germany))
- 1978: Junk Trap credited to Charles Bobo Shaw with Human Arts Ensemble (Black Saint)