Albert Ayler was a radical and influential figure in the free jazz movement of the 1960s, renowned for his powerful and unbridled saxophone technique and highly emotive playing style. Born on July 13, 1936, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Ayler honed his craft in various school bands before venturing into professional music. His exploration of musical boundaries began with his stint in the US Army, after which he settled in Sweden and recorded some of his initial groundbreaking work.

Ayler's music avoided traditional jazz structures, instead emphasizing collective improvisation and a spiritual, fervent energy that reflected his deep religious convictions. Albums like "Spiritual Unity" and "Spirits Rejoice" catapult his name into the avant-garde spectrum through his revolutionary approach towards improvisation. His most recent releases include "Prophecy," capturing his live performances, and compilations such as "The Albert Ayler Story" and "Bells & Prophecies," which delve into the expansive universe of his recordings, bringing the essence of his intense and transcendental soundscapes to new audiences. Despite his tragic passing in 1970 at the age of 34, Ayler's legacy endures through recordings like "Nuits de la Fondation Maeght 1970" and "The Last Album," which encapsulate the final chapters of his profound musical journey. Albert Ayler is remembered as a torchbearer for the spiritual expression in jazz, and a pivotal force who sought to elevate music to the realm of pure emotion and energy.

Genres

Avant-garde Jazz

Free Jazz

Jazz Saxophone

Latest Release

Prophecy

Albert Ayler

Ep - 5 Tracks - Released September 4, 2015