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British jazz band Bill Bruford’s Earthworks – sometimes referred to as Earthworks - was formed in 1986 by veteran progressive rock drummer Bill Bruford (born May 17, 1949 in Sevenoakes, Kent, England). Bruford – who was ranked at Number 16 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of ‘100 Greatest Drummers of All Time’ - had previously played with progressive rock legends Yes, King Crimson, Gong, National Health, U.K., and his own band, Bruford. The first incarnation of Earthworks featured Bruford, Django Bates (keyboards/tenor horn/trumpet), Ian Bellamy (saxophone), and Mick Hutton (double bass). Originally called The Bill Bruford Quartet, they officially changed their name to Bill Bruford’s Earthworks after their first tour in Japan. The band’s first album, Earthworks, was released in 1987. By the time they released their second album, Dig (1989), Hutton has been replaced by fretless bassist Tim Harries. Bruford became involved in the Yes-related project Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe, which kept him busy until Earthworks came together in 1991 to record their third album. All Heaven Broke Lose, which was released later that year. The album was critically-acclaimed and the band toured in between Bruford’s commitments with his former Yes bandmates. With each band member becoming busier, this first incarnation of Earthworks split up in 1993. Bruford continued with projects related to Yes and King Crimson, eventually returning to the Earthworks concept in 1997 when he connected with Scottish keyboardist Steve Hamilton. Along with double bassist Geoff Gascoigne and saxophonist Patrick Clahar, the new line-up of Earthworks released their A Part, and Yet Apart, in 1999. Gascoigne was replaced by double bassist Mark Hodgson and the group released the album The Sound of Surprise in 2001. The band continued to tour although there were further line-up changes over the next few years. After realizing that he could no longer financially support himself and the band, Bruford split the band up in 2008.
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