2.8 Free jazz

Free jazz emerged in the 1950s and 60s as a radical departure from traditional jazz. It emphasized spontaneity, collective improvisation, and unconventional sound exploration, challenging established musical norms and reflecting the era's social upheaval.

Key figures like Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane pushed jazz boundaries, abandoning fixed chord progressions and embracing extended techniques. Free jazz's influence spread globally, impacting avant-garde music, experimental literature, and visual arts while continuing to evolve in contemporary scenes.

Origins of free jazz

• Free jazz emerged as a revolutionary movement in the 1950s and 1960s, challenging traditional jazz conventions and pushing the boundaries of musical expression
• This avant-garde style represented a radical departure from established jazz forms, emphasizing spontaneity, collective improvisation, and unconventional sound exploration
• Free jazz played a significant role in the broader context of experimental music within the Modern Era, influencing various genres and artistic movements

Precursors in bebop

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• Bebop's complex harmonic structures and emphasis on improvisation laid the groundwork for free jazz
• Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie introduced extended chord progressions and rapid-fire solos, expanding jazz vocabulary
• Thelonious Monk's unconventional compositions and dissonant harmonies foreshadowed free jazz experimentation
• Miles Davis's modal jazz approach in "Kind of Blue" (1959) reduced harmonic complexity, allowing for more open-ended improvisation

Ornette Coleman's influence

• Coleman's 1959 album "The Shape of Jazz to Come" marked a pivotal moment in free jazz development
• Introduced the concept of "harmolodics," emphasizing equal importance of harmony, melody, and rhythm
• Abandoned fixed chord progressions, allowing musicians to improvise based on the overall feel of the piece
• Coleman's plastic alto saxophone produced unconventional timbres, expanding the sonic palette of jazz
• His quartet's performances at the Five Spot Café in New York City sparked controversy and debate among jazz critics and musicians

1960s avant-garde movement

• Free jazz gained momentum as part of the broader avant-garde movement in the arts
• Coincided with the Civil Rights Movement, reflecting a desire for freedom and self-expression
• John Coltrane's later work, such as "Ascension" (1965), embraced free jazz principles
• Avant-garde jazz collectives formed, including the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago
• European musicians like Peter Brötzmann and Derek Bailey developed their own free improvisation styles, expanding the global reach of the movement

Key characteristics

Absence of fixed chord progressions

• Musicians improvise without adhering to predetermined harmonic structures
• Allows for greater freedom in melodic and harmonic exploration
• Emphasis on collective interaction rather than following a fixed chord chart
• Challenges listeners to engage with the music on a more abstract level
• Creates a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity in performances

Collective improvisation

• Multiple musicians improvise simultaneously, creating a dense and complex sonic texture
• Emphasizes group interaction and communication rather than individual solos
• Requires heightened listening skills and responsiveness from all performers
• Can result in moments of cacophony as well as unexpected harmonic convergences
• Challenges traditional jazz roles, with all instruments potentially taking on lead or supportive functions

Extended techniques

• Musicians explore unconventional ways of playing their instruments to produce unique sounds
• Includes overblowing, multiphonics, and prepared instruments (placing objects on strings or keys)
• Saxophonists like John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders developed techniques like "sheets of sound" and screaming through the horn
• Pianists (Cecil Taylor) used the entire range of the instrument, including playing inside the piano
• Drummers experimented with non-traditional percussion instruments and unconventional rhythmic patterns

Non-traditional instrumentation

• Free jazz expanded beyond the typical jazz ensemble lineup
• Incorporation of "little instruments" (whistles, bells, toys) by the Art Ensemble of Chicago
• Use of electronic instruments and tape manipulation (Sun Ra)
• Integration of non-Western instruments (Indian tabla, African drums)
• Exploration of homemade or modified instruments to create unique timbres

Prominent free jazz musicians

Cecil Taylor

• Pioneered a highly percussive and energetic piano style in free jazz
• Developed complex, atonal compositions that challenged traditional jazz harmony
• Collaborated with dancers and poets, expanding the boundaries of jazz performance
• Key albums include "Unit Structures" (1966) and "Silent Tongues" (1974)
• Influenced generations of avant-garde pianists and improvisers

Albert Ayler

• Saxophonist known for his raw, emotive playing style and spiritual approach to music
• Incorporated elements of R&B, gospel, and military marches into his free jazz compositions
• Famous for his wide vibrato and use of multiphonics on the saxophone
• Landmark albums include "Spiritual Unity" (1964) and "Bells" (1965)
• Tragically died young but left a lasting impact on the free jazz movement

Sun Ra

• Pioneering bandleader, composer, and keyboardist who blended free jazz with cosmic philosophy
• Led the Arkestra, a large ensemble known for theatrical performances and elaborate costumes
• Incorporated electronic instruments and early synthesizers into his music
• Explored Afrofuturism themes in his compositions and stage presentations
• Influential albums include "Jazz in Silhouette" (1959) and "The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra" (1965)

John Coltrane's later work

• Coltrane's transition from modal jazz to free jazz marked a significant shift in his career
• "A Love Supreme" (1964) bridged the gap between structured and free improvisation
• "Ascension" (1965) fully embraced free jazz principles with its large ensemble and collective improvisation
• Explored Eastern spirituality and extended techniques on the saxophone
• His late period work influenced both jazz and avant-garde classical composers

Free jazz vs traditional jazz

Structural differences

• Traditional jazz follows predetermined chord progressions and song forms (AABA, blues)
• Free jazz abandons fixed structures in favor of spontaneous composition and collective improvisation
• Traditional jazz often maintains a steady pulse or swing feel
• Free jazz may feature fluid or non-existent time signatures and polyrhythmic textures
• Traditional jazz typically has clear distinctions between solos and ensemble playing
• Free jazz blurs these lines, with constant interaction and overlapping improvisations

Harmonic approach

• Traditional jazz relies on functional harmony and chord-scale relationships
• Free jazz explores atonality, microtonality, and non-Western scales
• Traditional jazz improvisers outline chord changes in their solos
• Free jazz musicians may ignore harmonic constraints entirely or create their own harmonic systems
• Traditional jazz often uses standard tuning and equal temperament
• Free jazz may incorporate alternative tuning systems or intentional "out-of-tune" playing

Rhythmic complexity

• Traditional jazz emphasizes swing feel and consistent meter
• Free jazz explores polyrhythms, metric modulation, and arhythmic playing
• Traditional jazz drummers maintain a steady pulse and clear timekeeping
• Free jazz drummers may abandon timekeeping roles for more textural and interactive playing
• Traditional jazz uses syncopation within established rhythmic frameworks
• Free jazz pushes rhythmic complexity to extremes, sometimes resulting in a sense of rhythmic dissolution

Role of individual musicians

• Traditional jazz features clear distinctions between rhythm section and lead instruments
• Free jazz often blurs these roles, with all musicians potentially taking on lead or supportive functions
• Traditional jazz soloists typically take turns improvising over the form
• Free jazz encourages simultaneous improvisation and constant interaction among all players
• Traditional jazz requires musicians to adhere to predetermined arrangements
• Free jazz demands heightened listening skills and the ability to respond spontaneously to the group's collective direction

Philosophical underpinnings

African American civil rights

• Free jazz emerged during the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
• Musicians saw free jazz as a form of cultural and political expression
• Rejection of musical conventions paralleled the rejection of social and racial inequalities
• Albums like Max Roach's "We Insist! Freedom Now Suite" (1960) directly addressed civil rights issues
• Free jazz performances often served as gathering spaces for political activists and intellectuals

Artistic freedom and expression

• Free jazz emphasized individual and collective artistic autonomy
• Musicians sought to liberate themselves from Western musical traditions and expectations
• Exploration of non-Western musical concepts and spirituality (John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders)
• Emphasis on spontaneity and "in-the-moment" creation rather than pre-composed structures
• Free jazz as a means of accessing higher states of consciousness or spiritual transcendence

Rejection of musical conventions

• Free jazz challenged the notion of "correct" or "incorrect" ways of playing jazz
• Abandonment of traditional harmony, melody, and rhythm as organizing principles
• Exploration of noise, dissonance, and extended techniques as valid musical elements
• Questioning of the divide between "high" and "low" art forms
• Influence of avant-garde classical composers (John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen) on free jazz concepts

Global influence and legacy

European free improvisation

• European musicians developed their own approaches to free improvisation
• British guitarist Derek Bailey pioneered "non-idiomatic" improvisation
• German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann's album "Machine Gun" (1968) became a landmark of European free jazz
• Dutch drummer Han Bennink incorporated theatrical elements and unconventional instruments
• European free improvisation often emphasized textural exploration and extended techniques

Impact on avant-garde music

• Free jazz influenced experimental composers in classical music (Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Zorn)
• Concepts of indeterminacy and aleatory composition found parallels in free jazz practices
• Free jazz expanded the timbral palette of contemporary music
• Influenced the development of noise music and electroacoustic improvisation
• Concepts of collective improvisation adopted in various experimental music scenes

Free jazz in contemporary contexts

• Continued influence on modern jazz and improvised music scenes
• Integration of free jazz elements in various genres (rock, electronic music, world music)
• Legacy preserved through reissues of classic free jazz recordings and historical scholarship
• Contemporary musicians like Matana Roberts and Tyshawn Sorey continue to push boundaries of free improvisation
• Free jazz concepts incorporated into jazz education and academic music programs

Critical reception and controversy

Initial reactions

• Free jazz initially met with confusion and hostility from many critics and traditional jazz fans
• Accusations of "anti-jazz" and lack of musicality in early reviews
• Some critics praised the innovative spirit while others dismissed it as noise
• Polarizing performances, such as Ornette Coleman's residency at the Five Spot Café, sparked heated debates
• Many established jazz musicians were skeptical or openly critical of free jazz (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie)

Evolving critical perspectives

• Over time, critical reception of free jazz became more nuanced and appreciative
• Recognition of free jazz's historical importance and artistic merit increased
• Academic studies and jazz historiography incorporated free jazz into the jazz canon
• Reappraisal of once-controversial albums as classic recordings (John Coltrane's "Ascension")
• Growing understanding of free jazz's connections to broader cultural and political movements

Debates on musicality and accessibility

• Ongoing discussions about the balance between freedom and structure in improvisation
• Questions about the role of audience accessibility in avant-garde music
• Debates on whether free jazz represents a natural evolution of jazz or a break from tradition
• Consideration of free jazz's influence on jazz education and performance practices
• Exploration of free jazz's relationship to other experimental music forms and its place in contemporary music

Free jazz recordings

Landmark albums

• Ornette Coleman: "The Shape of Jazz to Come" (1959), "Free Jazz" (1960)
• John Coltrane: "A Love Supreme" (1964), "Ascension" (1965)
• Albert Ayler: "Spiritual Unity" (1964), "Ghosts" (1965)
• Cecil Taylor: "Unit Structures" (1966), "Conquistador!" (1966)
• Sun Ra: "The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra" (1965), "Space Is the Place" (1973)

Live performances

• Free jazz thrived in live settings, allowing for extended improvisations and audience interaction
• Notable venues included the Five Spot Café and the Village Vanguard in New York City
• European festivals like the Berlin Jazz Festival showcased free jazz artists
• Live recordings captured the energy and spontaneity of free jazz performances
• Archival releases of live performances continue to shed light on the development of free jazz

Recording techniques and challenges

• Capturing the dynamic range and timbral complexity of free jazz required innovative recording approaches
• Extended techniques and unconventional instruments posed challenges for microphone placement and mixing
• Some free jazz recordings embraced a raw, unpolished aesthetic to reflect the music's intensity
• Studio recordings often struggled to capture the energy of live performances
• Advancements in recording technology allowed for more accurate representation of free jazz sonics over time

Free jazz and other art forms

Connections to abstract expressionism

• Free jazz shared philosophical and aesthetic connections with abstract expressionist painting
• Emphasis on spontaneity, gesture, and non-representational expression
• Jackson Pollock's action painting techniques paralleled free jazz improvisation
• Album covers by abstract artists (Mati Klarwein, Bob Thompson) visually represented free jazz aesthetics
• Collaborations between jazz musicians and visual artists (Ornette Coleman and Giulio Turcato)

Influence on experimental literature

• Beat poets like Allen Ginsberg and Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) drew inspiration from free jazz
• Free jazz concepts of improvisation and non-linear structure influenced experimental prose and poetry
• Jazz-inspired writing techniques, such as Jack Kerouac's "spontaneous bop prosody"
• Literary works about free jazz (Nathaniel Mackey's "From a Broken Bottle Traces of Perfume Still Emanate")
• Cross-disciplinary performances combining free jazz and poetry readings

Collaborations with performance art

• Free jazz musicians often incorporated theatrical elements into their performances
• Sun Ra's Arkestra combined music, costumes, and elaborate stage presentations
• Collaborations with dancers and choreographers (Cecil Taylor and Min Tanaka)
• Integration of free jazz in multimedia and intermedia art events
• Influence on the Fluxus movement and experimental theater (John Cage, La Monte Young)

Contemporary free jazz scene

Modern practitioners

• Saxophonist Matana Roberts continues to push boundaries with her "Coin Coin" series
• Drummer/composer Tyshawn Sorey blends free jazz with contemporary classical techniques
• Pianist Kris Davis incorporates free improvisation into her compositions and performances
• Trumpeter Peter Evans explores extended techniques and electroacoustic improvisation
• The trio The Necks creates long-form improvisations drawing on free jazz concepts

Festivals and venues

• Vision Festival in New York City celebrates avant-garde jazz and improvised music
• European festivals like Moers Festival and Konfrontationen showcase free jazz and improvised music
• Dedicated venues like Café Oto in London and The Stone in New York support experimental music
• University music departments host concerts and workshops featuring free jazz artists
• Online platforms and livestreaming events have expanded access to free jazz performances globally

Fusion with other genres

• Free jazz elements incorporated into experimental rock (Sonic Youth, The Mars Volta)
• Electronic musicians draw inspiration from free jazz textures and improvisation techniques
• World music fusion incorporating free jazz concepts (Don Cherry's work with global musicians)
• Free jazz influence in contemporary classical composition and performance
• Hip-hop artists sampling and recontextualizing free jazz recordings (Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar)