Free Jazz and Fusion MUH 271 Free JazzAvantGarde

Free Jazz and Fusion MUH 271

Free Jazz/Avant-Garde “avant-garde” is often associated with free jazz but encompasses a wider range of styles and artists John Coltrane is “in the spectrum” but not typically considered a free jazz player Free Jazz: Improvisation free from conventional practices 3 characteristics of free jazz according to Gary Giddens: No consistent chord progression – emphasis on “melodic structures” Use of nonstandard meters or avoidance of consistent meter Disregard for standard form.

Major proponents of free jazz Ornette Coleman Saxophonist, but played many other instruments; composer Controversial, particularly at the time; Miles Davis said that he was “all screwed up inside” 1959 appearance at the Five Spot in New York “harmelodics” – Coleman’s improvisational concept, which focused on melodic development (a contraction of “harmony, ” “motion, ” and “melody. ” Cecil Taylor Piano player and composer Extensive formal education in music “the most explosive and aggressive pianist in the history of jazz”

John Coltrane Tenor saxophone, composer Born in Hamlet, NC Sept. 23, 1926 Played in Miles Davis’ quintet in 1955, left for a time in 1957, returned for Kind of Blue Performed and recorded with Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, and others Began playing soprano saxophone in addition to tenor around 1960 Formed his own quartet in the early 1960 s "In his final years and after his death, Coltrane acquired an almost saintly reputation among listeners and fellow musicians for his energetic and selfless support of young avant-garde performers, his passionate religious convictions, his peaceful demeanor and his obsessive striving for a musical ideal. "