Ornette Coleman was a pioneering American jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, violinist, and composer. He is widely regarded as one of the key figures in the development of free jazz.
Albums:
Instruments:
Website: ornettecoleman.com
Ornette Coleman bio
Ornette’s approach to music shifted away from conventional harmony, tonality, chord structures, and fixed rhythms, placing emphasis on experimental improvisation. Described as “one of the most beloved and polarizing figures in jazz history,” Coleman’s unique style initially met with resistance but later achieved broad acclaim.
Early life
Ornette Coleman was born Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman in Fort Worth, Texas. As a teenager, he taught himself to play the saxophone and joined his high school band until he was dismissed for improvising during a performance. During this time, Coleman began performing R&B and bebop on the tenor saxophone, forming a group called The Jam Jivers. Seeking new opportunities, he took a job with a touring show in 1949, and after a violent incident in Baton Rouge destroyed his saxophone, he switched to the alto saxophone, which became his primary instrument.
Career beginnings
Ornette eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he worked various jobs while developing his music career. He found a community of like-minded musicians and signed his first recording contract with Contemporary Records, releasing his debut album “Something Else!!!!” in 1958. This early work, marked by unconventional harmony, divided opinions in the jazz world, with some calling him a fraud and others, such as Leonard Bernstein, offering praise.
The Shape of Jazz to Come
In 1959, Ornette released “The Shape of Jazz to Come” with Atlantic Records, a pivotal album that redefined jazz and influenced avant-garde musicians worldwide. During this time, his quartet began a high-profile engagement at the Five Spot Café in New York City, drawing attention from prominent musicians. Critics and fellow artists, however, remained divided; while Miles Davis initially disparaged Coleman’s work, others were impressed, including Lou Reed, who followed the group throughout New York.
1960s: Free Jazz and Blue Note
In 1960, Ornette Coleman recorded “Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation”, featuring a double quartet that represented a new direction in jazz. Although Coleman intended “free jazz” as merely an album title, it became associated with a broader movement. Following his time with Atlantic, Coleman continued to explore new forms, often performing in a trio that highlighted his growing interest in trumpet and violin, and later signed with Blue Note Records, where he recorded the two-volume “At the ‘Golden Circle’ Stockholm”.
1970s–1990s: Harmolodic funk and Prime Time
In the mid-1970s, Ornette formed the group Prime Time and began to explore electric jazz-funk and his concept of harmolodics. This was evident in albums like “Dancing in Your Head”, where he blended jazz with rock and funk elements. Coleman also collaborated with guitarist Pat Metheny on the album “Song X” in 1985, and he appeared on stage with the Grateful Dead in 1993. A festival in Reggio Emilia, Italy, honoured Coleman in 1990, presenting performances of his work, including “Skies of America”.
2000s and Sound Grammar
In 2006, Ornette released “Sound Grammar”, his first album of new material in a decade, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2007, making Coleman only the second jazz musician to receive the award. His compositions were also featured in Gus Van Sant’s film “Finding Forrester”.
Death and legacy
Ornette Coleman passed away from cardiac arrest in Manhattan on June 11, 2015, at age 85. His funeral was a significant event, featuring performances and tributes from his many collaborators. His pioneering contributions to jazz continue to inspire musicians and audiences, securing his place as one of jazz’s most revolutionary figures.