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ORNETTE COLEMAN

Beauty Is A Rare Thing: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Boxed Set)

$89.98 CD

"He is a man of great conviction, a pioneer always moving forward down the path he has chosen, a can opener who opens all of us up as musicians. I could not play what I play had it not been for Ornette Coleman."—Herbie Hancock, from the liner notes  Ornette Coleman is probably the most influential avant garde musician in the world. A leading force in jazz since his startling debut in the late ’50s, Coleman’s emotive alto sax style relies on melodic improvisation unfettered by chord changes. This style (and philosophy) was dubbed by Ornette "harmelodics" and reached its peak in a small combo whose virtuoso playing had the power of the blues and the multi-rhythmic sophistication of Monk, Mingus, or Coltrane. The landmark series of albums Coleman released in the late ’50s and early ’60s still define the shape of jazz to come. The six-CD Beauty Is A Rare Thing box set showcases the "free jazz" pioneer’s most seminal sides, featuring his entire recorded output for Atlantic Records from 1959 to 1962 in chronological order—plus half a dozen previously unreleased tracks. This essential collection also includes a huge booklet of photos, a detailed history of his life and music, and commentary from jazz luminaries, including Ornette himself!

Selection # 71410