Derek Bailey (guitarist)

Derek Bailey
Bailey at the Vortex Club, 1991
Background information
Born(1930-01-29)29 January 1930
Sheffield, England
Died25 December 2005(2005-12-25) (aged 75)
London, England
GenresFree improvisation, avant-garde rock, jazz rock
Occupation(s)Musician, record label owner
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1950s–2005
LabelsIncus, Table of the Elements

Derek Bailey (29 January 1930 – 25 December 2005) was an English avant-garde guitarist and an important figure in the free improvisation movement. Bailey abandoned conventional performance techniques found in jazz, exploring atonality, noise, and whatever unusual sounds he could produce with the guitar. Much of his work was released on his own label Incus Records. In addition to solo work, Bailey collaborated frequently with other musicians and recorded with collectives such as Spontaneous Music Ensemble and Company.