The Shape of Jazz to Come
Jazz music is an art form that evolved inside of twentieth century America and the changes to the music have been as drastic as the changes to the American landscape. No one jazz musician has contributed more to the phenomenal scope of the music than the legendary Ornette Coleman who arrived in New York City in 1959 with his quartet and playd the Five Spot Cafe. The engagement was supposed to last for two weeks, but was extended to ten weeks because of the importance of the groundbreaking nature of his conception. Ornette and his band returned a short time later to play for a record four months at the club.
His music was called everything from free jazz to not jazz at all. Some musicians, critics and jazz fans loved it, others hated it. It embodies the distractions, divisions and distortions that plague the modern world. In the end, after a stellar carreer of more than sixty years, Ornette is recognised as one of the greats of the jazz tradition. His album, The Shape of Jazz to Come, released in 1959 by Atlantic Records, is one of many jazz records that court controversy.
The question of ‘what is jazz’ is as hotly disputed today as it was then. Perhaps the answer is to be found in the questioning. What is going on in the music of today? What is going on in the world of today? Perhaps it is in the asking that we find ourselves answering these questions. This is what the International Jazz Day jam sessions at Porridge Watson explore.
The house band this month includes regular contributors Dave Griffiths on upright bass, Michael Franklin-Browne on drums and Chris Dann on keys. Tony Sundeman continues to support the kaupapa, and there is no cover charge... just live musical improvisations. Come on down and let the music blow away those winter blues.
Sunday 24 August from 6pm to 8pm @ Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Ave
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