Enchanting Improvisation: Landmark Works and Popular Albums of Free Jazz
For example, works that attempted completely different styles or methods from existing classical music came to be called modern music, and there’s a genre called post-rock that developed approaches different from standard rock styles—there are many subgenres within any given genre.
Free jazz, true to the term, is a genre newly born within the umbrella of jazz, characterized by avant-garde methodologies and freaky, free-form improvisation.
This time, we’ve selected a representative album and some popular works that are labeled as free jazz.
It’s by no means music that will appeal to everyone, but if you’re interested, please take this opportunity to give it a try!
- Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
- Acid jazz masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
- [2026] Discover Today's Jazz! A Roundup of the Latest Spotlight and Popular Tracks
- [2026] Jazz piano masterpieces: from standards to recent favorites
- [Contemporary Pieces] A curated selection of classical works that captivate with the piano’s mysterious resonance!
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- Hall of Jazz: Classic Blue Note Records. Recommended jazz albums.
- [For Beginners] Classic Modern Jazz Albums: Recommended Records to Start With
- Danceable Jazz! Classic and Recommended Albums of Acid Jazz
- [Start Here] Jazz Masterpieces: A Must-Listen Album Selection
- Today's Jazz: Tunes for today! A selection of timeless classics and contemporary jazz
- What is jazz: If someone asks you to make it sound jazzy, what should you do?
[Enthralling Improvisations] Landmark Works and Popular Albums of Free Jazz (21–30)
17 westEric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy was a renowned saxophonist who was continually sought after by great modern jazz combos such as those of Charles Mingus and John Coltrane.
He played virtually any E-flat woodwind instrument, including the flute and bass clarinet, and he also composed many highly complex pieces.
When There Is No SunSun Ra
It was Sun Ra who organized a large-scale free jazz orchestra.
His music ranges from big-band styles reminiscent of the swing era to radical free jazz and even electric jazz.
This is a masterpiece from a period when his deep admiration for Coltrane’s music is evident.
College TourPatty Waters
This is “College Tour,” an album by free jazz vocalist Patty Waters from Iowa, USA.
Patty Waters, a distinctive female vocalist, unfolds an incantatory world that evokes a sense of fear.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Song of Clifford 2.
Hush Little Baby/Be Ha Bad 3.
Wild Is the Wind 4.
Prayer 5.
It Never Entered My Mind 6.
Song of Life/Hush Little Baby 7.
Song of the One (I Love) or Love, My Love
The Music Improvisation CompanyDerek Bailey
Here is “Dragon Path” from The Music Improvisation Company by Derek Bailey, a guitarist from South Yorkshire, England.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Third Stream Boogaloo 2.
Dragon Path 3.
Packaged Eel 4.
Untitled No.
I 5.
Untitled No.
II 6.
Tuck 7.
Wolfgang Van Gangbang
Super NovaWayne Shorter
This is ‘Super Nova,’ an album by Wayne Shorter, a jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist born in the state of New Jersey, USA.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Super Nova 2.
Sweet Pea 3.
Dindi 4.
Water Babies 5.
Capricorn 6.
More Than Human
GhostsAlbert Ayler
In the early days of free jazz, it was common for modern jazz musicians to move toward the free jazz style, but Albert Ayler, coming from a background in military bands and Dixieland jazz, made his debut directly in free jazz.
“Ghosts” is one of his signature numbers.
Fuchsia Swing Song 1965Sam Rivers
This is the album “Fuchsia Swing Song” by jazz musician Sam Rivers from Florida, United States.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Fuchsia Swing Song 2.
Downstairs Blues Upstairs 3.
Cyclic Episode 4.
Luminous Monolith 5.
Beatrice 6.
Ellipsis 7.
Luminous Monolith 8.
Downstairs Blues Upstairs 9.
Downstairs Blues Upstairs 10.
Downstairs Blues Upstairs