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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Enchanting Improvisation: Representative Works and Popular Albums of Free Jazz (31–40)
QuadrangleJackie Mclean
This is “Quadrangle” from the album JACKIE’S BAG by jazz saxophonist Jackie McLean, who hails from New York State, USA.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Quadrangle 2.
Blues Inn 3.
Fidel 4.
Appointment in Ghana 5.
A Ballad for Doll 6.
Isle of Java [Bonus tracks] 7.
Street Singer 8.
Melonae’s Dance 9.
Medina
DreamsSteve Lacy
The soprano saxophonist who was active in the groups of Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor is Steve Lacy.
He left numerous classic recordings, and this number—performed repeatedly on several albums, including Saxophone Special—is among them.
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.
Complete CommunionDon Cherry
This is the album Complete Communion by Don Cherry, a jazz trumpet and cornet player from Oklahoma, United States.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Complete Communion: Complete Communion/And Now/Golden Heart/Remembrance 2.
Elephantasy: Elephantasy/Our Feelings/Bishmallah/Wind, Sand And Stars.
He also had connections with Japanese percussionist Masahiko Togashi and recorded with him.
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
[Captivating Improvisations] Free Jazz Masterpieces and Popular Albums (41–50)
Porto NovoMarion Brown
While many free jazz wind players are known for intense overblowing, extreme sounds, or high-speed playing, Marion Brown—called a “poet”—was a saxophonist who kept some distance from that kind of free style.
He was someone whose music was free in spirit.
Gittin’ To Know Y’AllThe Baden-Baden Free Jazz Orchestra
This is the album “Gittin’ To Know Y’All / Part I” by the Baden Baden Free Jazz Orchestra.
The tracks are as follows: 1.
Gittin’ to Know Y’All (Part I) 2.
Gittin’ to Know Y’All (Part II) 3.
Ved Soerevatn 4.
For My Two J.B.’s 5.
May Hunting Song