The Shape Of Jazz To Come Orchestra Concert
Ornette Coleman’s 1959
Revolutionary Album
The Shape Of Jazz To Come
Reimagined by 6 composers for Orchestra and Improvisors
Ornette Coleman changed the way we listen to music. With the release of his 1959 album The Shape Of Jazz To Come he tuned the Jazz world on its head and changed the musical landscape forever. He is simultaneously one of the most beloved figures and polarizing figures in jazz history. Ornette Coleman scrapped the conventions of Western harmony and theory for a conception that was a leap into the future. He focused on a far-reaching freedom of expression. The sound caused consternation, shock and even anger. He was initially regarded by peers and critics as rebellious, disruptive, and even a fraud. Ornette Coleman is now celebrated as a fearless innovator and a genius. Ornette Coleman successfully broke the grip of standardization. His musical and cultural revolution would ripple throughout the entirety of popular music for decades to come. Without Ornette Coleman’s vast and profound contributions, there would be no free jazz, no post 1960s experimental rock, no prog rock, no jam band music, no punk, no post-punk, no hip-hop.
Ornette Coleman taught himself the violin and trumpet to write orchestral music. In 1968 he conducted his composition Sun Suite (above) with the San Francisco Symphony. His master work Skies Of America with the London Symphony Orchestra was released on Columbia records in 1972. Ornette Coleman had the vision of Orchestra and Improvisors as one ensemble. In this spirit Denardo Coleman created:
THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME REIMAGINED FOR ORCHESTRA AND IMPROVISORS PERFORMED IN ITS ENTIRETY
Six composers were commissioned from across the musical spectrum to create new versions of the six compositions introduced on The Shape of Jazz to Come. These new arrangements simultaneously honored the original album, while demonstrating its evergreen influence by taking the individual compositions in new directions.
Composers: Pamela Z, Nick Dunston, Nicole Mitchell, Carman Moore, Craig Harris, David Sanford.
Each performance combines orchestras with changing lineups of todays modern players. Ambrose Akinmusire, Brad Jones, Craig Taborn, Isaiah Collier, Jakob Bro, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, James Blood Ulmer, Jason Moran, Lee Odom, Mary Halverson, Moor Mother, Nduduzo Makhatini, Nicole Mitchell, Wallace Roney Jr.
Perfomances: New York BAM, Long Play Festival Germany, Enjoy Jazz Festival Poland, Jazztopad Festival Paris, Jazz La Villette (2025)
Bang On A Can presents
Brooklyn Academy of Music 2022
The Shape OF Jazz To Come Orchestra Trailer
Denardo Coleman
Ornette Expressions
Bang On A Can Orchestra
Awadagin Pratt conductor
In 1959 Ornette Coleman turned the Jazz world on its head with the release of The Shape Of Jazz To Come. Reverberations of its freedom have been felt throughout all genres ever since. 6 Composers were commissioned to reimagine the 6 songs on the album for Orchestra and Improvisors.
Concert Composers: Nicole Mitchell, Pamela Z, Carman Moore, David Sanford, Nick Dunston, Craig Harris
Ornette Expressions Special guest: James “Blood” Ulmer guitar, Lee Odom alto sax, Wallace Roney Jr. trumpet, Jason Moran piano, Tony Falanga contrabass, Jamaaladeen Tacuma electric bass
Sometimes the music world gets hit with such force that it causes that world to shift. In Jazz it was Louis Armstrong and then Charlie Parker and then Ornette Coleman. In 1959 with the release of The Shape Of Jazz To Come, its free expression was revolutionary. Now a completely new reimagining of this momentous work has taken place. The Shape Of Jazz To Come Orchestra Concert. The 6 songs from the album have been arranged by 6 different composers for Orchestra and Improvising ensemble.
