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)
Denardo Coleman WHO’S ORNETTE WHO’S DENARDO
In 1959 Ornette Coleman announced his presence releasing the album The Shape Of Jazz To Come. He seemingly arrived out of nowhere to play a 2 week engagement in New York’s east village. It turned into a 4 month run of boiling hot controversy. Was it noise or was it music? Was he a charlatan or a musical visionary? Today he is considered a genius. Denardo Coleman has seen the whole journey starting at 10 playing drums on the Blue Note LP, The Empty Foxhole.
Denardo Coleman THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME ORCHESTRA CONCERT promo 2024
In 1959 Ornette Coleman turned the Jazz world on its head with the release of The Shape Of Jazz To Come. Reverberations of the freedom he brought have been felt in all genres of music ever since. 6 Composers were commissioned to reimagine the 6 songs on the album for orchestra. To be performed along with master Improvisors.
Performance 2024 Jqzztopad Festival Wroclaw, Poland (excerpt Lonely Woman – Donna sola, abbandonato in questo deserto popoloso arr. Pamela Z)
Special guests: Craig Taborn piano, Ambrose Akinmusire trumpet, Isaiah Collier tenor sax, Jakob Bro guitar, Brad Jones bass. Composers: Nicole Mitchell, Pamela Z, Carman Moore, David Sanford, Nick Dunston, Craig Harris
Denardo Coleman PEACE
Composed by Ornette Coleman Arranged by Craig Harris The Shape Of Jazz To Come Orchestra Concert
Moor Mother – Spoken Word Nichole Mitchell – flute Lee Odom – alto sax Isaiah Collier – tenor sax Mary Halverson – guitar Nduduzo Makatini – piano Jamaaladeen Tacuma – bass
The Staadaphilhamonie Orchestra Ernst Theis, conductor Enjoy Jazz Festival, Germany 2023 BASF Feierabendhaus Festsaal, Ludwigshafen
Denardo Coleman EVENTUALLY, ALREADY NOW
Composed by Ornette Coleman Arranged by Nicole Mitchell The Shape Of Jazz To Come Orchestra Concert
James Blood Ulmer – guitar Jason Moran – piano Lee Odom – alto sax Wallace Roney Jr. – trumpet Tony Falanga – contra bass Jamaaladeen Tacuma – bass
The Bang On A Can Orchestra Awadagin Pratt, conductor Brooklyn Academy of Music 2022
Ornette Coleman’s Eventually from the album Shape Of Jazz To Come reimagined for orchestra by composer Nicole Mitchell.
Bang On A Can presents
The Shape Of Jazz To Come Orchestra Trailer Denardo Coleman Ornette Expressions Bang On A Can Orchestra Awadagin Pratt conductor Brooklyn Academy of Music 2022
In 1959 Ornette Coleman turned the Jazz world on its head with the release of The Shape Of Jazz To Come. Reverberations of the freedom he brought have been felt in all genres of music ever since. 6 Composers were commissioned to reimagine the 6 songs on the album for orchestra. To be performed along with master Improvisors.
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
Concert Composers: Nicole Mitchell Pamela Z Carman Moore David Sanford Nick Dunston Craig Harris