Ornette Coleman Has Died(nytimes.com) |
Ornette Coleman Has Died(nytimes.com) |
Less free, more rooted in traditional tonality, yet playful and creative.
I wouldn't call it a dark day. All lived a long and varied life and their passing doesn't come unexpected.
I saw Coleman live a few years ago an Enjoy Jazz in Mannheim and I was impressed of the force he still had on stage at his advanced age. It really felt like this was the place he belonged to.
EDIT: (a typo)
I saw Coleman live a few years ago an Enjoy Jazz in Mannheim and I was impressed of the force he still had on stage at his advanced age. It really felt like this was the please he belonged to.
Indeed. At that age, it's expected that it will happen sometime. Since I was born far after the sixties, but love that period in jazz, I try to see as many musicians of that period/generation as possible.
I am very happy/fortunate to have seen him at North Sea Jazz 2010. It was great and powerful. He was also scheduled for Jazz Middelheim 2012, but unfortunately had to cancel at the last moment. One of my other favorites, John Zorn, aptly filled the spot (since there definitely is a Coleman heritage in Spy vs. Spy, Naked City, Masada, etc.).
I grew up knowing my Grandfather was a Jazz Band Leader in NYC (He only had one recording and the last copy got destroyed decades before) and sadly he died when I was 7 so I didn't get to grow up to listen to his stories except through my mom and grandmother. He hated Charlie Parker and Billy Holiday, I think it was their drug use and being rude I was told. He did love Colman Hawkins and Dizzy.