Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman > O.C.
Composed by Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman

Ornette was Charlie’s exploisive introduction to the wide world —to me, too— and they’ve never strayed too far from each other. Thank goodness.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #4
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Saxophone #7
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #4 & #5 
Duet #5

Charlie Haden & Don Cherry > Out of Focus
Composed by Charlie Haden & Don Cherry

Both Charlie and Don proved for at least 30 years that my tagging them as “Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz” is truly narrow minded. Though this track by two old friends and bandmates is happily in the pocket of that ‘tradition.’

(Check out Rend It for a sweet look at the album source for this track, The Golden Number.)

Charlie Haden Duets Week #2
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Trumpet #4 
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #5 & #6 
Duet #3

Ornette Coleman > Congeniality
Composed by Ornette Coleman

“The Shape of Jazz to Come” indeed. As my friend Nancy would say, Ornette is totally my fave rave.

Avant-Garde Jazz Week #4 
Legends of the Saxophone #7
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #4

Albert Ayler > Ghosts (1st Variation)
Composed by Albert Ayler

This early recording set up all the contradictions in the avant-garde jazz movement. Beautiful, memorable melodies juxtaposed against modern cacophony. Ayler was tortured between the poles.

It’s looking like all my picks this week are saxophonists. Sure, there was one critical pianist but the reeds meant the most to me.

Avant-Garde Jazz Week #3 
Legends of the Saxophone #6
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #3

Eric Dolphy > Hat and Beard
Composed by Eric Dolphy

“Out To Lunch” was the perfect title to introduce shy, mainstream Blue Note listeners to the “new thing” of avant-garde jazz. And Eric Dolphy was just as right for ears more used to bebop than to free bop. And then, “Hat and Beard” was the polite tip to the most avant pianist/composer of them all.

Avant-Garde Jazz Week #2 
Legends of the Saxophone #5
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #2

The Jazz Composer’s Orchestra > Preview 
Soloist: Pharoah Sanders
Composed & conducted by Michael Mantler

Energy? You want energy??

Avant-Garde Jazz Week #1 
Legends of the Saxophone #4
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #1