Avant Garde Jazz

Question 1

This free jazz pioneering pianist would eventually perform for Jimmy Carter on the White House lawn and earn both Guggenheim and Macarthur fellowships.

Answer 1

Cecil Taylor

Question 2

Avant garde jazz partially emerged from his other sub-genre, characterized by rapid chord changes, numerous key changes and complex chord progressions. This movement was pioneered by artists like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

Answer 2

Bebop

Question 3

This influential avant-garde artist and band leader of his “Arkestra” ensemble was also known for his “cosmic” philosophy.

Answer 3

Sun Ra

Question 4

This saxophonist coined the term “free jazz” with his 1961 album of the same title. He would later go on to earn a Macarthur fellowship and receive the 2007 Pulitzer in music for his album Sound Grammar.

Answer 4

Ornette Coleman

Question 5

This trumpet player began taking a more avant-garde approach in his music beginning in 1965. That year he recorded the 40-minute solo-filled “Ascension.”

Answer 5

John Coltrane

Question 6

This saxophonist is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s – which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by African Americans – as well as for his work with the New York Contemporary Five,

Answer 6

Archie Shepp

Question 7

This tenor saxophonist emerged from Coltrane’s groups of the 60s. Fellow saxophonist Albert Ayler famously said: “Trane was the Father, _____ was the Son, I am the Holy Ghost.”

Answer 7

Pharaoh Sanders

Question 8

The “Art Ensemble” of this city was known for integrating many jazz styles and using many instruments. While performing they often wore costumes and face paint.

Answer 8

Chicago

Question 9

BYG was a record label based in this city, which invited many American free jazz musicians to come overseas and record in the summer of 1969.

Answer 9

Paris

Question 10

This legendary double bassist flirted with avant-garde jazz in the 60s. He was also nicknamed the “Angry Man of Jazz” thanks to his reluctance to compromise with other musicians (and onstage outbursts).

Answer 10

Charles Mingus

Question 11

This free jazz saxophonist is regarded as one of the most influential and divisive figures of the genre. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1970, first disappearing and the being found dead in the Hudson River.

Answer 11

Albert Ayler

Question 12

This avant-garde continuation and New York music scene was named after the areas in which its live shows would take place.

Answer 12

Loft jazz

Question 13

“The Avant-Garde” was an album recorded by John Coltrane and this free jazz trumpeter, who was also a pioneer of world fusion music.

Answer 13

Don Cherry