Coleman, Ornette (1930-2015), was an influential and controversial jazz musician and composer. Coleman was a leader of the “free” jazz style that became prominent in the late 1950’s. Free jazz omits harmony and chordal structure. Many solos in the style are fiercely energetic, and some dissolve into instrumental screams and squawks. Coleman’s supporters consider him one of the great innovators in jazz. His detractors claim he had little talent, especially as a musician. Coleman won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for music for his composition Sound Grammar.
Music critics consider Coleman’s most important work to be a series of experimental albums he recorded from 1958 to 1961. Coleman played alto saxophone on these recordings, but during the mid-1960’s he added the trumpet and violin to his performances. Although Coleman’s music had no form, it still retained a strong blues flavor.
Coleman was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 9, 1930. He was a self-taught musician and began his career playing in local bands. As he moved toward free jazz, he became the leader of like-minded musicians, such as trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Billy Higgins. They joined Coleman in his first recording in 1958. In 1965, he formed a trio with David Izenson on bass and Charles Moffett on drums. A few years later, he formed a quartet featuring tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman. Coleman formed his Prime Time band in 1975, which played electronic instruments and performed rock-flavored music.
Beginning in the late 1970’s, Coleman concentrated on composing. He wrote several chamber works. Some of his songs, including “Lonely Woman” and “Tears Inside,” have become jazz standards. Coleman died on June 11, 2015.
