Spectrum 3
Spectrum 3 is lead by Detroit saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Skeeter C.R. Shelton. One of many iterations of Spectrum (the universal name of all Shelton’s projects as leader), Spectrum 3 is a trio with long-time collaborator and fellow Detroit-based creative musician Joel Peterson on double bass and new contributor James Baljo on percussion.
Spectrum 3 is a unique voice in vanguard jazz and improvsed music today. Distinct from the overly cerebral vibe that has come to dominate so much contemporary creative music, Spectrum 3 opts to instead emphasize “the cry” of jazz, along with raw aesthetics of their Detroit home and the extended techniques of the avant garde.
The roots of this trio go back several years and through many ensembles. Both Shelton and Peterson were mentored by saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey of the legendary group Griot Galaxy, but at points separated by three decades. Besides performing together with Bey and other members of Detroit’s creative music scene, Shelton and Peterson have two ensembles with Bay-area native, pianist Thollem (McDonas): Soar Trio and the large band BoxDeserter—both of which have recordings on Edge Tone Records.
Collaborator Bios
The son of drummer and AACM charter-member Ajaramu (formerly Joe Shelton) and largely raised by organist Amina Claudine Meyers, Skeeter Shelton grew up around many of his parents’s collaborators: Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Roscoe Mitchell, Muhal Abrams, Fred Anderson etc. Joseph Jarman (of Art Ensmble of Chicago) took an interest and would play sax duets with a young Skeeter. As he got older, Shelton studied with jazz harp legend, Dorothy Ashby, and later with organist Lyman Woodard. He’s been a member of Hakim Jami’s Street Band, The Vizitors, The Northwoods Improvisers, The Soar Trio, Kindred/The Faruq Z. Bey Quartet, BoxDeserter, The US Army Band and Joe Tex’s group. He has performed with Fred Anderson, Hamid Drake, Han Bennink, and especially fellow wind player Michael Carey; Shelton has also recorded with James Blood Ulmer, Hamid Drake, Hakim Jami, and Dushun Mosley.
James Baljo is best-known as the former guitarist for noise-darlings Wolf Eyes, but he also performs lovely, solo finger-picking guitar and tape machine sets as The 696 Blues Band, electronics in the trio CJS and he handles the drums and percussion in improvising hybrid-band Chatoyant. His extensive touring has crossed the US, Europe and parts of the Middle East.