Description
Ornette Coleman – The Shape Of Jazz To Come – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
VMP Classics record of the month for October 2022.
Packaged in a tip-on sleeve.
(AAA) Lacquers Cut From the Original Mono Tapes by Ryan Smith, Sterling Sound
Pressed on 180g Black Audiophile Vinyl at RTI
Listening Notes Booklet by Marcus J. Moore
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Released in 1959, Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking and influential albums in the history of jazz. It not only challenged the conventions of the genre but also laid the groundwork for free jazz, a style that broke away from traditional structures, harmonies, and forms, emphasizing improvisation, emotion, and spontaneity. With this album, Coleman helped redefine what jazz could be, moving away from the bebop and hard bop styles that had dominated the 1950s and opening the door to a new era of musical exploration.
The Shape of Jazz to Come was both a declaration of independence and a vision for the future, earning Coleman a place among the most innovative artists in jazz history. His use of dissonance, unconventional harmonies, and free-form improvisation was radical at the time, but the album is now considered a classic that paved the way for later avant-garde jazz movements.
Before the release of The Shape of Jazz to Come, Ornette Coleman was already known as a provocative and unconventional musician. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1930, Coleman developed an early interest in jazz but quickly grew disillusioned with the limitations of standard musical forms. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s, where he began to develop his unique approach to jazz, one that rejected the traditional chord progressions and rigid song structures that characterized bebop and hard bop.
Coleman’s radical ideas weren’t immediately embraced by the jazz establishment, and his early work was often met with skepticism or outright hostility. Many critics and musicians were unprepared for his free-flowing style, which prioritized emotional expression over technical precision or adherence to harmonic rules. However, when Coleman signed with Atlantic Records and released The Shape of Jazz to Come, he found a broader audience that was more open to experimentation, and the album became a turning point in his career.
The Shape of Jazz to Come is celebrated for its bold departure from jazz conventions. The album features a quartet with Ornette Coleman on alto saxophone, Don Cherry on cornet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The absence of a piano—a traditional instrument in jazz for providing harmonic structure—was a key aspect of Coleman’s sound, allowing for freer improvisation without being anchored to specific chord changes.
One of the defining features of The Shape of Jazz to Come is its emphasis on collective improvisation. Instead of following the typical jazz structure of head-solos-head (where musicians play a composed melody, take turns improvising solos, and then return to the melody), Coleman and his band allowed the music to flow organically, with no predetermined harmonic or rhythmic rules. This created a more spontaneous, unpredictable sound.
Coleman’s musical philosophy, which he called harmolodics, was based on the idea that harmony, melody, and rhythm should be treated equally, with no one element dominating the others. This allowed for a more fluid approach to improvisation, where musicians could interact more freely without being confined by traditional chord changes or rhythmic patterns.
While The Shape of Jazz to Come rejected traditional harmonic structures, Coleman’s music was still highly melodic. His improvisations were driven by emotion and intuition, resulting in melodies that were often angular, dissonant, and raw but still deeply expressive. The music, while experimental, was rooted in the blues and retained a sense of lyrical beauty.
Notable Tracks
“Lonely Woman”: The album’s opening track and one of Coleman’s most famous compositions, “Lonely Woman” is a haunting, melancholic piece that exemplifies Coleman’s approach to free jazz. The melody, played in unison by Coleman and Don Cherry, floats over a loosely defined rhythm, creating a sense of longing and emotional depth. The absence of a strict harmonic structure allows the musicians to improvise more freely, giving the piece a spacious, open feel.
“Eventually”: This track is a prime example of the album’s free-form approach to rhythm and melody. With its fast tempo and fragmented melody lines, “Eventually” showcases the quartet’s ability to interact spontaneously, with each musician contributing to the overall flow of the piece without being bound by traditional jazz structures.
“Peace”: Closing the album, “Peace” is a slower, more meditative track that highlights the lyrical side of Coleman’s playing. The song’s calm, reflective mood contrasts with the more frenetic energy of other tracks on the album, showing the range of emotional expression that Coleman was able to achieve through his innovative approach to improvisation.
“Congeniality”: A mid-tempo piece with a joyful, almost playful melody, “Congeniality” exemplifies Coleman’s knack for creating catchy, memorable tunes within the context of free jazz. The interaction between Coleman and Cherry is particularly striking here, as they weave in and out of each other’s lines, creating a lively, spontaneous dialogue.
The Shape of Jazz to Come was more than just a musical statement—it was a declaration of artistic freedom. Coleman’s decision to move away from the standard chord progressions and song structures of bebop was a bold challenge to the jazz establishment, but it also opened up new possibilities for improvisation and expression.
At its core, The Shape of Jazz to Come is about the freedom to break away from established conventions and explore new ways of making music. Coleman’s compositions allowed his musicians to express their individuality through improvisation, creating a sound that was deeply personal and emotionally direct.
One of the defining characteristics of free jazz is its emphasis on raw emotional expression. Coleman’s music was often described as sounding “naked” or “exposed,” because it stripped away the technical complexities of bebop in favor of direct, unfiltered communication. The music on The Shape of Jazz to Come feels alive with emotion—whether it’s the sorrowful longing of “Lonely Woman” or the frenetic energy of “Eventually.”
The Shape of Jazz to Come was a major influence on the development of avant-garde jazz and free jazz in the 1960s and beyond. Artists like John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, and Cecil Taylor were inspired by Coleman’s approach and expanded on the ideas he introduced, pushing jazz into even more abstract and experimental territory.
When The Shape of Jazz to Come was released in 1959, it was met with both admiration and controversy. Some critics hailed Coleman as a visionary, while others dismissed his music as chaotic and lacking in structure. However, the album’s impact on the jazz world was undeniable, and it has since been recognized as one of the most important and influential albums in jazz history.
Over the years, The Shape of Jazz to Come has gained widespread acclaim for its bold, innovative approach to jazz. It has been featured on countless lists of the greatest albums of all time and is regarded as a cornerstone of the free jazz movement. Coleman’s willingness to challenge conventions and explore new musical possibilities continues to inspire generations of musicians, both within and beyond the world of jazz.
The Shape of Jazz to Come is not just an album—it’s a revolutionary moment in the history of jazz, a daring leap into the unknown that forever changed the landscape of the genre. Ornette Coleman’s fearless approach to improvisation and composition challenged the rules of harmony and structure, opening the door to new forms of expression that continue to influence jazz and other genres to this day.
For anyone interested in jazz, The Shape of Jazz to Come is an essential listen, offering a glimpse into the mind of one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century. Its raw emotional power, spontaneous creativity, and disregard for musical boundaries make it a timeless work of art that remains as vital and relevant today as it was when it was first released.
Track Listing
Lonely Woman
Eventually
Peace
Focus On Sanity
Congeniality
Chronology
