When I approached my contacts in the music industry with the idea of a series of articles attempting to look at the development of free jazz, many jumped at the chance to offer their thoughts and ideas. You May Also Like: ‘All That’s Jazz,’ by Sammy Stein (2017): Books LondonRead More

Baritone sax savant Charles Evans is really good at taming this brash, acerbic horn and transforming it into a conduit of emotion and musical purpose. You May Also Like: David Garfield, “Sir Charles” from ‘Stretchin’ Outside the Box’ (2020): One Track Mind Mostly Other People Do The Killing – Loafer’sRead More

“Write for larger ensembles,” advised Anthony Braxton to one of his brightest protégés. You May Also Like: Mary Halvorson Octet – Away With You (2016) Mary Halvorson – ‘Cloudward’ (2024)

Earlier this year Japanese avant-garde master Satoko Fujii unveiled a new ensemble with Spring Storm, the debut album for her Satoko Fujii New Trio. You May Also Like: Kaze – ‘Unwritten’ (2024) Kaze + Ikue Mori – ‘Crustal Movement’ (2023) Kaze + Ikue Mori – ‘Sand Storm’ (2020)

Like Thelonious Monk and his one-time boss Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk loved a pretty melody but also loved to present them in eccentric ways. You May Also Like: Remembering Duane Allman’s Brushes with the Jazz World

Mixing punk rock, swinging jazz, whack jazz and funk isn’t some new concept but it’s rare enough that it makes your ears perk up when you hear it, and for some (like uh, me) get a charge out of it. You May Also Like: The Doughboys, “Play With Fire” (2018):Read More

A Mirror to Machaut isn’t Samuel Blaser doing a quick follow-up to As The Sea issued a mere five months ago. Rather, it’s the successor to his 2011 Third Stream collaboration with the late, great Paul Motian, Consort In Motion You May Also Like: David Ake – Humanities (2018)

A solo effort in the most complete sense of the word, John Frusciante’s ‘Outsides’ reflects a singular creative genesis.

She’s one of the world’s most famous avant-garde performers of all time, not so much because of her works but because of who became her soulmate. You May Also Like: The ‘Mind Games’ Song That Pointed to John Lennon’s Reunion With Yoko Ono

They have a mysterious (and humorous) name, and the Ghosts Of The Holy Ghost Spermic Brotherhood are a little mysterious themselves. However, they did make a self-titled record that should go on sale any day, now. You May Also Like: Projekt Gemineye, “The Holy Shield” (2021): One Track Mind