chb@vaxine.UUCP (Music Mafiosi) (08/15/83)
Although I have not read any official definition by Ornette of harmolodics
I believe that one could summarize by saying that harmolodics
involves not only the melodic improvisation on a known theme over a fixed
chord structure, but also the harmonic improvisation on a known chord
sequence (usually called "the changes") based on the melody. It's kind of
like combining normal jazz improvisation with its mirror image. (is this
at ALL clear?). Not only do you improvise the melody, but you also
improvise the changes as well. It sounds like it might be chaotic, but
in fact is very structured, and very difficult to play well.
The most recent interview with Ornette that I have seen has been in
a book by the drummer Art Taylor, called something like "Jazz People".
Be forwarned - Ornette Coleman is a bitter man (why is Liberace making
millons when a major figure in our one purely American art form has to
scuffle) and he says some pretty harsh things.
As to a discography, my favorite recording of Ornette is
"This Is Our Music", under his name on Atlantic, but I think any
recording of him with Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman, Don Cherry
and either Eddie Blackwell or Billy Higgins is the most representative
of his best work. (I prefer Blackwell on drums, but that is PURELY
my preference as a drummer).
It cam probably be argued that most "free", or "avant-garde" jazz
going on today has been influenced by Ornette, from the Art Ensemble
and Air to Material and Nona Hendryx. Those on the scene today that are
most heavily influenced by Ornette current electric excursions include:
1. Material - their FIRST album on Elektra/Musician. This
is a band that includes people from the
Talking Heads art new wave concept (don't you love
labels?) to others from Ornette's new band.
2. Jamaledeen Tecuma - He is the electric bass player with Ornette's
current band, and has a new album due out soon.
3. Ronald Shannon Jackson - A drummer whose electric band is influenced
by earlier Ornette.
I think all of these people are serious offshoots of what Ornette Coleman
has been preaching for 20 years, and all worth checking out.
P.S. Did you know thaat Ornette put his first serious band together (with
Haden, Redman, etc.) at the Tanglewood Summer Camp?!?! It was about 1960,
roughly the same time a young Japanese guy was studying conducting;
Seiji Ozawa. I wonder if they ever worked together?