Teo Macero

Attilio "Teo" Macero (1925–2008) was an American composer, saxophonist and record producer. He worked as an editor and producer at Columbia Records from the late 1950s, produced landmark recordings (including Miles Davis albums) and was known for his tape-editing techniques. He founded the Teo Production label in 1975.

Born Attilio Macero (1925) and died 2008. Trained at Juilliard (mentioned in reviews). Played in Gunther Schuller's Third Stream context and in Charlie Mingus's Jazz Composers Workshop. Joined Columbia Records in 1957 as an editor and later producer. Known for razor-blade-and-tape editing techniques and for producing landmark Miles Davis records such as Bitches Brew and In a Silent Way. Created his own label, Teo Production, in 1975. Composed the piece "Fusion" in 1956; definitive manipulated recordings of Fusion were made in the early 1980s with London orchestras and the Lounge Lizards (as described in the provided review).

The review presents Teo Macero as a tape-editor-producer who reshaped recordings by cutting and splicing tape. It focuses on the album Fusion and Macero's method of assembly and manipulation. It links Macero's work to Miles Davis, Third Stream origins, and his Columbia-era production practice. The piece is appreciative of his audacity while noting the music can be excessive and demanding.

For:Jazz listeners, experimental-music fans, music producers and students interested in production and tape-editing techniques.