Episode 58:: (Why Not) Listen to Ornette Coleman! (?)

On March 9, saxophonist and "Free Jazz" pioneer Ornette Coleman celebrated his 80th birthday, and in New York the radio station WKCR celebrated as well, with 24 hours of music from his large, diverse, and yes, mostly avant-garde, discography. Ornette is an especially difficult figure to cast into any particular Jazz mold, though this hasn't caused any delay for those who pigeon-hole him as a "radical" or even a "visionary" and thenceforth never actually listen to his music. The kindest excuse is something like, "oh sure, Ornette's brilliant... it's just not my thing."

And I see where they're coming from. Jumping feet-first into the landmark 36-minute improvised insanity that is the 1960 "Free Jazz" album, one is not likely to emerge with much of an understanding, much less an appreciation, of what the hell just happened.

But Ornette has had a long career, and throughout he has continued to push boundaries in ways that maintain the elusive quality of being both extremely intelligent, and also passionate. Rocket Science with Orgasm. And that certainly deserves more attention, not to mention gives all of us something in his work to relate to.

So let's listen to some Ornette Coleman. Why not? I'll keep things on the accessible side, and perhaps after an hour of progressive attenuation, you'll be ready to sit down for a big helping of Eric Dolphy solos, modal progressions, and tempo-less music. Like a fat sheep on Nouroz, it's a feast once you learn how to eat it.

Audio

Playlist

1. Ornette Coleman - When Will the Blues Leave - Something Else! The Music of Ornette Coleman
2. Ornette Coleman - Tomorrow is the Question - Tomorrow is the Question
3. Ornette Coleman - Compassion - Tomorrow is the Question
4. Ornette Coleman - the Fifth of Beethoven - The Art of the Improvisers
5. Ornette Coleman Trio - Dawn - Live at the Golden Circle
6. Ornette Coleman - Street Woman - Science Fiction
7. Ornette Coleman - New York - Ornette at 12
8. Ornette Coleman / Pat Metheny - Police People - Song X

WSRP:: One of the Few places that Won't Expect you to Pay Money to hear Free Jazz.