Released 1965 Length 80:11 Artist Ornette Coleman Movie Chappaqua Genre Free jazz | Recorded June 15–17, 1965 Label Columbia Release date 1965 Producer Henri Renaud | |
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Chappaqua Suite
(1965) At the Golden Circle Stockholm
(1965) Similar Ornette Coleman albums, Free jazz albums, Other albums | ||
Chappaqua Suite is a free jazz album that was recorded and released in 1965, by alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman. It was originally commissioned by actor/director Conrad Rooks as the soundtrack to his film Chappaqua; however, the music was not used in the released version of the film. According to the album's liner notes, Rooks decided upon hearing Coleman's music that he found it was so beautiful that he feared it would overpower the imagery and action of the film. Instead, Columbia Records released it as a double album, but gave it very little promotion and the album sold poorly. It was taken out of print the following year and has since come back into print intermittently and in very small editions.
Contents
Chappaqua Suite was Coleman's first studio recording with a trio featuring David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums. It was also his first recording with a full orchestra, in this case a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Joseph Tekula. Coleman's suite is four parts, each occupying a full record side. Tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders appears on the fourth part of the suite.
Reception
The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3½ stars and stated "While not considered a masterwork of Coleman's, perhaps because of its unavailability in the United States in its entirety, Chappaqua Suite is a testament to Coleman's vision as a composer and the power of his orchestral direction. Very worthwhile indeed".
Track listing
- "Chappaqua Suite, Part 1" – 21:06
- "Chappaqua Suite, Part 2" – 18:41
- "Chappaqua Suite, Part 3" – 17:36
- "Chappaqua Suite, Part 4" – 21:48
Personnel
Songs
1Part I21:11
2Part II18:41
3Part III17:41