Albert Ayler

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About Albert Ayler

Tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler was one of the most mysterious and powerful forces in the free jazz movement of the ‘60s, with a raw tone and chaotic compositions borne of emotional upheaval. Albums like 1967’s blistering In Greenwich Village showcased Ayler’s strange mix of fiery group improvisation and melodic themes that disassembled nursery rhymes and New Orleans funeral marches. In his time, Ayler never reached any level of commercial success, and was found dead in 1970 under circumstances that were never officially illuminated. The attention that eluded him while he was alive grew after his death, with new generations perennially discovering Ayler’s ungovernable sounds and turning him into one of free jazz’s key influential figures. Different media focusing on Ayler’s life and artistry eventually surfaced, as did a wealth of posthumously released recordings, including 2022’s Revelations: The Complete ORTF 1970 Fondations Maeght Recordings, a document of his final concerts.

HOMETOWN
Cleveland, OH, United States
BORN
July 13, 1936
GENRE
Jazz

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