by Scott Yanow
The short-lived New York Art Quartet was comprised of trombonist Roswell Rudd, altoist John Tchicai, drummer Milford Graves (succeeded by Louis Moholo) and several different bass players including Lewis Worrell, Reggie Workman and Finn Von Eyben. Their music was fairly free, emotional, and quite notable for the trombone-alto frontline. The group was formed after Tchicaideparted from The New York Contemporary Five, and the New York Art Quartet lasted until Rudd joined Archie Shepps Quartet. The New York Art Quartet recorded three albums from 1964-65: one apiece for ESP, Fontana and America.