For any serious fan of ‘60s jazz, I imagine that the biggest names would surely have to be (alphabetically) Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Charles Mingus. Those four artists all contributed major innovations to jazz history, each through a series of high-quality albums throughout the decade that relentlessly pushed at boundaries and explored new ways of making jazz.
Yet a host of other artists were right their at their heels, perhaps slightly less significant as jazz pioneers, but recording just as brilliant, essential works that explored the new worlds those big four opened up.
One of the best jazz artists of that second-tier, upper echelon of ‘60s jazz greats was saxophonist Jackie McLean, who had a long string of excellent albums to span the decade.
This playlist contains two tracks each from his inside-outside breakthrough Let Freedom Ring, his two most accomplished adventurous works One Step Beyond and Destination… Out!, and perhaps his most enjoyable, consistent album, Right Now!
He had plenty of other fine albums in the decade, including It’s Time!, Action, Jacknife, New and Old Gospel (with Ornette Coleman), and ‘Bout Soul, all of which are worth a look if you want to dig deeper. But this playlist gives you a great taste.
Cover Art Citation:
- One Step Beyond: Source, Discogs.com
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