Free Jazz

Free Jazz is lacking a precise definition, but it can be characterized as music unconstrained by the strictures of music theory. Notions such as key signatures, steady tempos, chord structures, composition, and proper instrumental technique are summarily tossed out the window. In one sense Free Jazz is its own genre of jazz. And in another sense, it can be a component embedded within performances of other types of jazz music.

It's an anything goes type of sound, sometimes chaotic and abrasive, but just as often strange and beautiful. Notes may be bent and distorted, dissonant chord clusters are permitted, slowing or speeding up, stopping and starting, squeals and squawks - all are expressive, according to Free Jazz.

For the most part, Free Jazz emerged from Bebop, while also borrowing from other jazz traditions - including a half-forgotten aspect of Dixieland: group improvisation.

The origin of Free Jazz is generally credited to Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor, who were each exploring the possibilities in the mid-50s, and had released landmark Free Jazz albums by 1958. Then in 1960, Coleman titled a record "Free Jazz" and thereby coined the term, much to his dismay.

Well known practitioners of Free Jazz include Albert Ayler, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Pharaoh Sanders, Eric Dolphy, and Charles Mingus.

 

Wikipedia article: Free Jazz