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Ornette Coleman Ornette Coleman, born on March 9, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas, was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer known for his innovative and influential contributions to the free jazz movement. Coleman's unorthodox approach to harmony, melody, and rhythm revolutionized jazz and challenged traditional notions of what jazz could be. Coleman began playing saxophone at a young age and quickly developed a unique and distinctive playing style characterized by its freedom and spontaneity. In the late 1950s, Coleman emerged as a leading figure in the avant-garde jazz scene, a movement that sought to push the boundaries of jazz by exploring new and unconventional approaches to improvisation and composition. One of Coleman's most famous albums is his 1959 release "The Shape of Jazz to Come," which features his groundbreaking quartet with Don Cherry on trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The album, which includes original compositions like "Lonely Woman" and "Peace," is considered a landmark in the history of jazz and helped establish Coleman as a visionary and innovator. Coleman's music was characterized by its emphasis on collective improvisation, its rejection of traditional chord changes, and its use of unconventional scales and harmonies. His approach to improvisation was based on the concept of "harmolodics," a theory that seeks to liberate music from traditional harmonic and rhythmic constraints. In addition to his work as a musician, Coleman was also a prolific composer, writing numerous pieces for small and large ensembles. His compositions often featured complex, angular melodies and harmonies, and they reflected his interest in blending elements of jazz, classical music, and world music. Ornette Coleman passed away on June 11, 2015, but his music continues to be celebrated and studied by musicians and listeners around the world. His innovative approach to jazz and his willingness to challenge conventions have had a lasting impact on the genre, and he remains one of the most important and influential figures in the history of jazz.