Change of the Century, Cont.

THE ART OF THE TURNAROUND: Ornette
Coleman, the great jazz musician — the greatest, among the
living? — first recorded his quirky jewel “Turnaround” on the
groundbreaking 1959 album Tomorrow is the Question! (note
the operative exclamation point). A catchy almost-blues tune, the song’s
twist appears in the chromatically dizzy “turnaround” leading back
to the top of the chord pattern, and its sneaky deviation from
norms neatly symbolizes Coleman’s brilliance as any.

This year, “Turnaround” returns, dropped like a vintage CARE
package amidst new compositions on the thrilling new Coleman album,
Sound Grammar. In a way, Coleman is a
trickster and a “turnaround” figure in jazz history. For nearly 50
years, he has carved out a private path through the old musical
language of the music, guided by a kindly rebel spirit all his
own.

With his keening alto sax sound piercing and charging the air,
the now 76-year-old Coleman is heard embraced by the swarming and
surprisingly natural low end rumble of dual acoustic bassists Greg
Cohen and Tony Falanga. Organic notions of swing and drum color
anchor the band from the drum kit of Ornette’s son and longtime
musical ally Denardo Coleman.