Jazz Legend Ornette Coleman Has Passed Away

One of jazz’s very best talents and one of American music’s greatest innovators has passed away. Ornette Coleman — the musician behind incomparable classics such as The Shape of Jazz to Come — has passed away at the age of 85. The New York Times reports that he died as a result of cardiac arrest at his home in New York City, and cites a family representative. Coleman will probably be best remembered as one the most progressive, forward-thinking, and talented musicians to ever play jazz, and as one of the artists directly responsible for the entire free jazz sound. His career spanned several decades and dozens of albums, and  Coleman was still performing shows well into his 80’s. Just eight years ago, Coleman also earned a Pulitzer Prize for his 2007 album Sound Grammar. For those not familiar, this is essential.