Avant-garde jazz is a genre characterized by its experimental and innovative approach to traditional jazz, often incorporating unconventional sounds, rhythms, and instrumentation. Emerging in the 1950s and 1960s, avant-garde jazz drew from the free jazz and improvisational traditions of artists like Charles Mingus and Alice Coltrane, pushing the boundaries of harmony, melody, and form. This genre is marked by its use of extended techniques, such as dissonant harmonies, atonal melodies, and unconventional instrumental timbres. The avant-garde jazz movement was closely tied to the social and cultural upheavals of the 1960s, reflecting a desire for creative freedom and rebellion against mainstream musical norms. As such, it intersected with other experimental genres, such as free improvisation and psychedelic rock, influencing a wide range of musical styles. What sets avant-garde jazz apart is its emphasis on collective improvisation, spontaneous composition, and a willingness to challenge traditional notions of jazz as a genre.

Grits

Dave Douglas

Single - Released January 13, 2026