Free Jazz

Around the time that modal jazz appeared, musicians were also exploring an even more radical re-visioning of the music. Believing that the preceding styles were too limiting, free jazz players took an experimental approach that refused restrictions on tone, rhythm or structure. The results were startling, with Pharaoh Sanders, Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler taking their brass instruments into new territory. Some found the music a thrilling game changer, others were scared witless.

Associated sub-genres include Avant-garde jazz and Spiritual jazz.