Miguel Zenón stands as a towering figure in contemporary jazz, renowned for his innovative compositions and virtuosic alto saxophone playing. His album, “Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman,” is not just another entry in his discography; it’s a profound exploration and celebration of the music of the legendary Ornette Coleman. This live recording captures a unique performance that showcases Zenón’s deep understanding and personal connection to Coleman’s groundbreaking work, offering listeners a fresh perspective on these iconic compositions.
Zenón’s journey with Ornette Coleman’s music began in his teenage years in Puerto Rico. He recounts being utterly captivated upon first hearing “Lonely Woman” from “The Shape of Jazz to Come.” In a pre-internet era with limited access to music, this initial encounter sparked a lasting fascination. Zenón describes being “mesmerized and in shock,” immediately recognizing the echoes of Be-Bop’s rhythmic complexity and the harmonic nuances reminiscent of Coltrane and Miles, yet sensing something entirely novel. This early immersion led him to delve deeper into Coleman’s discography, becoming, in his words, “hooked on Ornette for good.”
Despite the common label of “Free Jazz” associated with Coleman, Zenón emphasizes the inherent structure and melodic richness within his music. He argues against the perception of chaos, highlighting instead the “deep sense of cohesiveness” and “beautiful and inspired melodic lines” that form the bedrock of Coleman’s compositions. This album, “Law Years,” serves as a testament to this perspective, revealing the underlying architecture and lyrical beauty in pieces often categorized as avant-garde.
Zenón shares personal anecdotes of his encounters with Ornette Coleman, portraying him as approachable and supportive. He fondly remembers conversations, often sparked by Coleman’s probing, unconventional questions, like, “Have you ever thought about what would happen if you played A and Eb at the same time?” These interactions left a lasting impression, reinforcing Zenón’s admiration for Coleman’s boundless creativity and enduring influence.
Album cover for Miguel Zenón’s “Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman”, showcasing the album title and artist name.
“Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman” was recorded live at the Bird’s Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland, in May 2019. This recording arose from a residency Zenón curated in collaboration with Jazz Campus and the Swiss Jazz Orchestra. The concept was to assemble a band of European musicians, connected to Zenón through various musical paths but not necessarily to each other. This diverse ensemble organically led to the idea of focusing solely on the music of Ornette Coleman for their performance. With minimal rehearsal, the band, comprised of Ariel Bringuez (tenor saxophone), Demian Cabaud (bass), and Jordi Rossy (drums), alongside Zenón, embraced the challenge.
The outcome, as captured in “Law Years,” is a vibrant and spontaneous musical dialogue. Zenón describes the palpable “chemistry and good vibes” on stage, translating directly into the music. The album captures the energy of a one-off performance, fueled by the enthusiastic Basel audience and the inherent dynamism of Coleman’s compositions. Zenón underscores that Coleman’s music proved to be the ideal catalyst for this kind of spontaneous creation, “the kind of music that opens the door to endless possibilities for interaction and pushes you to hit the ground running.”
The international makeup of the quartet – Puerto Rican, Cuban, Argentinian, and Catalan – highlights another significant dimension. Zenón points to this as evidence of jazz’s inherent inclusivity and global reach, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. He emphasizes that “Jazz music knows no boundaries or labels; it is as inclusive now as it has ever been,” a sentiment powerfully embodied in this cross-continental collaboration dedicated to an American jazz icon.
Reflecting on the recording, Zenón poignantly notes the context of its creation – a time of in-person connection and shared musical experience, pre-dating the global pandemic restrictions. He recalls playing in a “packed room, with the audience right in front of us, and just feed off their energy,” a collective experience deeply missed during periods of social distancing. “Law Years” becomes not just a tribute to Ornette Coleman but also a sonic snapshot of a time when communal music-making felt unconstrained.
The album features a carefully selected tracklist of Ornette Coleman compositions, including:
- “The Tribes Of New York”
- “Free”
- “Law Years”
- “Giggin'”
- “Broken Shadows”
- “Dee Dee”
- “Toy Dance/ Street Woman”
Each track showcases the ensemble’s ability to navigate Coleman’s complex musical landscapes with both reverence and individual expression. From the energetic drive of “Giggin'” to the introspective beauty of “Broken Shadows,” “Law Years” offers a comprehensive and compelling journey through Coleman’s diverse compositional styles.
“Law Years: The Music of Ornette Coleman” is more than just a tribute album; it’s a vibrant testament to the enduring legacy of Ornette Coleman and the innovative spirit of Miguel Zenón. Through his insightful interpretations and passionate performance, Zenón invites listeners to rediscover the genius inherent in Ornette Coleman songs and to appreciate the boundless possibilities within the language of jazz. Explore the rich soundscape of “Law Years” and experience the magic of Miguel Zenón’s engagement with a true jazz innovator. You can stream and download “Miguel Zenón songs” from this remarkable album and delve into the world of Ornette Coleman today.
