‘Genesis of Genius: The Contemporary Albums’ might not be as ‘legendary’ as what soon followed, but this is where the legend of Ornette Coleman begins.

’80/81′ visits “out” material and more straight ahead jazz, with a healthy introduction to Pat Metheny’s idea of “folk jazz.”

Here is a reflection on free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman and his wonderful 1985 encounter with Pat Metheny, ‘Song X.”

There were technical things that made Ornette Coleman’s work great. But stressing that gives away the one thing that really mattered: Its freedom.

I wonder what Ornette thinks of this stuff?

Some think Metheny is joking around, that he couldn’t possibly like “all of this noise.”

Sometimes, it’s all about Ornette. On the whole, 80/81 comfortably visits “out” material and more straight ahead jazz, with a healthy introduction to Pat’s idea of “folk jazz.” Some of the glue that holds all of this together is the influence of Ornette Coleman. You May Also Like: Pat MethenyRead More

John Lurie is a musician, a composer, an accomplished painter, and an actor. For good measure, toss in raconteur and all-around Internet wise guy. You May Also Like: Of All the Tom Waits Albums, ‘Real Gone’ May Be the Tom Waits-iest Tom Waits Challenged Our Preconceived Notions (Again) With ‘GlitterRead More

This is part two of Sammy Stein’s comprehensive look into the genesis of the rangy improvisational genre of music that eventually became known as free jazz. [Click here for Part 1.] You May Also Like: ‘All That’s Jazz,’ by Sammy Stein (2017): Books Paul Jolly, free jazz musician, club ownerRead More