Controversy's Influence On Albert Ayler

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Beginning his musical experience on the alto saxophone Albert Ayler began his life as a musician at his local church. After high school he joined the army which took him to Europe. In Europe he made albums and tapes for Europeans. Although he started early it was not until 1966 when Ayler signed with Impulse! records that his reputation was made (Ayler). Although his music contained less technique compilations compared to John Coltrane, Ayler created musical styles that re-established the predominance of melody. Ayler like other free jazz musicians focus on imagination of sound, playing “instruments to escape from notes to sound” (Ayler). The idea of being deeply rooted in sound comes from having a spiritual and blues base. Repeatedly, his…show more content…
He instigated controversy among supporters of contemporary jazz by discouraging musical interpretations of his recordings (Ayler). He instead stressed on the social and spiritual issues he characterized with the notes (Barry). Social issues such as the activism of the KKK or Ku Klux Klan that encouraged whites to prioritize the justification of white authority. (McVeigh 1146). Albert Ayler soon disappeared and after been missing for 20 days he was found dead. Some reports said that it was the doing of a police officer. On the contrary, his close acquaintances believed it may have been suicide from feeling depressed (Barry). Nonetheless, Ayler became one of the most influential leaders in the Avant-Garde. It was through the power of his music selling to a large audience that accepted his music that in other circumstances would have been…show more content…
Its been sung and its been said, but it shall never come to end because music is not notes played together. Music is a story. It tells about the harsh life of when someone was a slave, but it can also tell the happy times when someone was getting married. Music will continue to tell us stories about the past and will tell us about the future. With each note, vibrato, scoop, and fall music tells it all. It told us how Albert Ayler felt about the policies and racial injustice. It explained to us that his opinion was his own and he would not change it. What he thought was to please no one but himself. In regards to John Coltrane, it told us how he was humble, and cared for each and every person he met. He respected their religions, values, and morals. John Coltrane expressed his love for culture by intertwining those of the African and Caribbean people. He explained that his music, free jazz, was all about finding the passion because in a world where people look at you differently because of the color of your skin could be rough and challenging at times. It is through the passion that he pushed the boundaries and tried new things that he enjoyed. He tried not think about what critics said because it was not only his music he was being criticized about, but his life. Albert Ayler,

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