Free jazz

Free jazz is a movement of jazz music characterized by diminished dependence on formal constraints. Developed in the 1950s and 1960s, it was pioneered by artists such as Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon and Paul Bley. Some of the best known examples are the later works of John Coltrane.

Free jazz in the world

Outside of North America, free jazz scenes have become established in Europe and Japan. Saxophonists Peter Brotzmann, Evan Parker, trombonist Conny Bauer, guitarist Derek Bailey and drummer Han Bennink were among the most well-known early European free jazz performers, and all continue making music in the 21st century. European free jazz can generally be seen as approaching free improvisation, with an ever more distant relationship to jazz tradition. That being said, specifically Brotzmann has had a significant impact on the free jazz players of the US. Japanese guitarist Masayuki Takayanagi and saxophonist Kaoru Abe, among others, took free jazz in another direction, approaching the energy levels of noise. Some international jazz musicians have come to North America and become immersed in free jazz, most notably Ivo Perelman from Brazil and Gato Barbieri of Argentina (this influence is evident in Barbieri's early work, but fades in his more commercially successful efforts). American musicians like Don Cherry, John Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders integrated elements of the music of Africa, India, and the Middle East for a sort of World music-influenced free jazz.

Related Topics:
Peter Brotzmann - Evan Parker - Conny Bauer - Derek Bailey - Han Bennink - Free improvisation - Masayuki Takayanagi - Kaoru Abe - Noise - Ivo Perelman - Brazil - Gato Barbieri - Argentina - Don Cherry - John Coltrane - Pharoah Sanders - Africa - India - Middle East - World music

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