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!
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[Enthralling Improvisations] Landmark Works and Popular Albums of Free Jazz (21–30)
Paul BleyPaul Bley
Here is “Ida Lupino” from jazz pianist Paul Bley’s album “Paul Bley.” Born in Montreal, Canada, Paul Bley is a renowned jazz pianist.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Ida Lupino 2.
Start 3.
Closer 4.
Sideways in Mexico 5.
Batterie 6.
And Now the Queen 7.
Figfoot 8.
Crossroads 9.
Violin 10.
Cartoon
Hush little baby with ba ha badPatty Waters
Free jazz also produced outstanding vocalists.
Patty Waters was one of them, unfolding a shamanistic lyrical world and freaky vocals over free jazz.
This is a track from the classic “College Tour,” which featured musicians such as Giuseppi Logan.
Enchanting Improvisation: Representative Works and Popular Albums of Free Jazz (31–40)
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
Free JazzOrnette Coleman
This is the album “Free Jazz” by Ornette Coleman, a jazz saxophonist from Texas, United States.
Recorded in 1960, it is a landmark free jazz work performed by a double quartet.
In addition to alto saxophone, Ornette Coleman also played trumpet and violin.
He is regarded as a pioneer of free jazz.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Free Jazz (Part 1 & 2) 2.
First Take
composition 6 cAnthony Braxton
After both Albert Ayler and John Coltrane passed away and the wave of free jazz seemed to subside, its second wave arose from Chicago.
Among the Chicago free scene, Anthony Braxton stood out for his particularly intellectual compositions and later became a conservatory professor.
He was also known for naming his pieces with symbols.
Grape SkinMichel Doneda
Even more renowned for breath-based performance than John Butcher is the French musician Michel Doneda.
There are numerous excellent recordings, including his performances with AMM’s Keith Rowe and his celebrated work with the percussionist Le Quan Ninh.
This is music close to the onkyo (reductionist) aesthetic.
Pray alwaysCharles Gayle
Charles Gayle is a saxophonist with a unique persona—living as a vagrant and performing in clown attire.
This track is from his acclaimed album Precious Soul, which features his sharp, Albert Ayler–direct lineage of saxophone playing.