Ornette Coleman: The Territory and the Adventure

Ornette Coleman was a jazz composer and musician who was born in Fort Worth, Texas, during the Great Depression. He was a key figure in the development of bebop and free jazz and his music reflected the changing times of the Space Age and New York's 1960s counterculture. This book features previously unpublished photographs of Coleman and his contemporaries and tells the story of one of America's most adventurous musicians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2022
Publisher: Reaktion Books

Ornette Coleman's career spanned the golden era of jazz and the American avant-garde. Born in segregated Fort Worth, Texas, during the Great Depression, the African American composer and musician was a true embodiment of the times. Deeply rooted in the Texas blues tradition, Ornette and jazz grew up together, witnessing the transition from the brassy blare of big band swing to the faster, more dynamic sound of bebop, which emerged in the post-war era. As the Space Age dawned and New York's 1960s counterculture took shape, Ornette's music became a powerful voice of the moment. While some praised his innovative approach, others criticized it, earning him the label of "the new thing" or "free jazz." This captivating book features previously unpublished photographs of Ornette and his contemporaries, providing a vivid account of one of America's most adventurous musicians and the soundtrack to a changing world.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 216 x 137 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789145601