Free Jazz

This recording from 1966 is the very album that should have made Cecil Taylor the superstar of free jazz. Instead, despite the fact that it was received well by many critics [more]

Ornette Coleman's Atlantic debut, The Shape of Jazz to Come, was a watershed event in the genesis of avant-garde jazz, profoundly steering its future course and throwing [more]

As jazz's first extended, continuous free improvisation LP, Free Jazz practically defies superlatives in its historical importance. Ornette [more]

This sampler has music from four of tenor saxophonist Gato Barbieri's releases for RCA and Flying Dutchman. Included are three of the five numbers originally on Fenix, two [more]

Not counting a couple of sessions he co-led with John Coltrane and Albert Ayler, Complete Communion was the first album Don Cherry recorded as a leader following his departure from [more]

The soundtrack to a documentary on the Blue Note label's history, Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz also works quite well as a introductory sampler for neophytes. [more]

Joe Morris has been working with the three musicians heard on this disc for a long time. Saxophonist Jim Hobbs, bassist Timo Shanko, and drummer Luther Gray are friends, kindred [more]

One of the true firebrands of early creative improvised music, alto saxophonist Charles Tyler has always been revered -- especially by Europeans -- as a forefather [more]

Electric guitarist Joe Morris utilizes a self-described open-ended, melodic improvisation that is contemplative, yet intense. Colorfield is a recording that also stresses shades and tones [more]

The title of this terrific BGP compilation is taken from Azar Lawrence's debut album for Milestone Records (all of these cuts were licensed from Milestone and Prestige). [more]

Chris Anderson is one of the unsung heroes of modern jazz piano. A revered figure among musicians, largely for his role as mentor to a young Herbie [more]

Fred Anderson's reputation as one of the premier creative improvising saxophonists is well deserved, but he is also a formidable and able player within the modern mainstream of [more]

Joe Morris plays bass, not guitar, on this set of four lengthy improvisations taped in March 2008. The trio features tenor and alto saxophonist Petr Cancura and longtime Morris collaborator [more]

It had been quite some time in between releases for Archie Shepp, and this 2009 issue adds to his reputation as a musician who has always been known for mixing progressive modern [more]

The word "humorous" is seldom used to describe avant-garde jazz, but there are a few exceptions to that rule. Trombonist Ray Anderson and the Reptet can be delightfully [more]

Spunk's fourth studio CD sees the all-female free improvising quartet charting more territory. Their playful yet profound music has always been evolving, gaining assurance with each album and [more]

Ronnie Boykins is best known for his work as bassist with Sun Ra (between 1958 and 1966), but the odd meters and horn arrangements in this 1975 septet session for ESP (the last [more]