Malachi Favors


Malachi Favors was an American jazz bassist who played with the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Biography

"Favors's tendency to dissemble about his age was a well-known source of mirth to fellow musicians of his generation". Most reference works give his year of birth of 1937, but, following his death, his daughter stated that it was 1927.
Favors primarily played the double bass, but also played the electric bass guitar, banjo, zither, gong, and other instruments. He began playing double bass at the age of 15 and began performing professionally upon graduating high school. Early performances included work with Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard. By 1965, he was a founder of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and a member of Muhal Richard Abrams' Experimental Band.
At some point he added the word "Maghostut" to his name and because of this he is commonly listed as "Malachi Favors Maghostut". Musically he is most associated with bebop, hard bop, and particularly free jazz.
Favors was a protégé of Chicago bassist Wilbur Ware. His first known recording was a 1953 session with tenor saxophonist Paul Bascomb. He made an LP with Chicago pianist Andrew Hill. Favors began working with Roscoe Mitchell in 1966; this group eventually became the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Favors also worked outside the group, with artists including Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp, and Dewey Redman.
Prominent records include Natural & Spiritual and Sightsong. In 1994 he played with Roman Bunka at Berlin Jazz Fest and recorded the German Critics Poll Winner album Color me Cairo.

Discography

With Art Ensemble of Chicago

As sideman

With Ahmed Abdullah
With Fred Anderson
With Tatsu Aoki
With Charles Brackeen
With Bright Moments: Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Kahil El'Zabar and Adegoke Steve Colson
With Roman Bunka
With Kahil El'Zabar
With Dennis González
With Andrew Hill
With Maurice McIntyre
With Roscoe Mitchell
With Dewey Redman
With Archie Shepp
With Wadada Leo Smith