Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Albert Ayler Quintet: 1966: Berlin, Lörrach, Paris & Sto...

3

Albert Ayler Quintet: 1966: Berlin, Lörrach, Paris & Stockholm. Revisited

By

Sign in to view read count
Albert Ayler Quintet: 1966: Berlin, Lörrach, Paris & Stockholm. Revisited
It may sound odd to describe the music that Albert Ayler's quintet performs here as the musical equivalent of comfort food, but these sounds can be associated with security and nostalgia. They are a reminder of the spark ignited by this tenor saxophonist from Cleveland. Ayler, maybe more than any artist of his day, paved the way for free jazz by linking it to the music of New Orleans, African-American spirituals, marching bands, and national anthems. If no Ayler, then no Mats Gustafsson and, although he disagrees, no Peter Brötzmann. In Ayler's brief eight-year recording career (1962-1970), he revolutionized jazz, shocking critics and listeners alike.

For those just catching up with his music, these 1966 concerts maybe the best place to start. Unlike the fierce and frenzied music Ayler produced in 1964 and 1965, these tracks, although not tame, act as a salve. Ayler's quintet was booked on this 1966 European tour by George Wein's famous jazz festival organization and dubbed "Newport in Europe." Ayler's quintet performed alongside Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, and Sonny Rollins. Touring in the wake of Brubeck's Time Out (Columbia, 1959), Getz' Bossa Nova, and Rollins' East Broadway Rundown (Impulse!, 1966) we find the revolutionary Ayler. How would he be received?

Judging by the response heard on these four dates, splendidly. The word on Ayler's music must have circulated around Europe after his 1964 tour with Don Cherry, Gary Peacock, and Sunny Murray. The crowds were ready and hungry for this 'New Thing.' Ayler didn't disappoint. While this music has been released before, it is nice to see it all in one package. This new quintet includes brother Donald Ayler on trumpet, and violinist Michel Sampson from the At Slug's Saloon (1966) sessions, but on drums Ronald Shannon Jackson is replaced by Beaver Harris. Bassist William Folwell would stay with Ayler through his last official releases, New Grass (Impulse!, 1969) and Music Is The Healing Force Of The Universe (Impulse!, 1970). Most of the Ayler's (both Albert and Donald) compositions are repeated at the four venues, with the addition of Pharoah Sanders' "Japan" heard only in Stockholm.

The key to these recordings was not only the crowds' reception, but Ayler being in his happy place with brother Donald at his side. Also, the addition of Sampson's violin elevates Ayler's music. The classically trained violinist helps to shape and establish Ayler's bona fides by validating the sound. "Bells," "Ghosts," "Omega (Is The Alpha)," and "Truth Is Marching In" are magnified and ennobled here. What was conceived as a march, a spiritual or folk music sounds almost sacred in these performances.

Track Listing

(CD1) Berlin, November 3, 1966: Truth Is Marching In; Omega (Is The Alpha); Our Prayer / Truth Is Marching In / Our Prayer; Ghost / Bells; Lörrach, November 7, 1966: Bells; Prophet; Our Prayer / Spirits Rejoice; Ghosts; Truth Is Marching In; (CD2) Paris, November 13, 1966: Ghosts; Spiritual Rebirth / Light In Darkness / Infinite Spirit; All / Our Prayer / Holy Family; Stockholm, November 10, 1966: Truth Is Marching In; Omega (Is The Alpha); Our Prayer / Bells; Infinite Spirit / Japan.

Personnel

Albert Ayler
saxophone, tenor
Donald Ayler
trumpet
William Folwell
bass, acoustic

Album information

Title: 1966: Berlin, Lörrach, Paris & Stockholm. Revisited | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Ezz-thetics


Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Power Vibe
Steph Richards
Green Lights
Troy Roberts
Amen
Joy Guidry
Groove Junkies
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.