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Ornette Coleman Soundtracks Absurdity in Paris (1966)
Step into the studio with Ornette Coleman and his Trio.
Ornette Coleman’s 1959 breakout record The Shape of Jazz to Come legitimized free jazz and lit the match for a new sound. This 1966 documentary captures the famously coolheaded Coleman as he leads his trio in recording the soundtrack of Who’s Crazy, an American film made in Belgium. A previously unknown copy of the 1966 absurdist film was found in 2015 and released to critical fanfare. The LP of its soundtrack was circulated but rare, and for the first time in decades fans finally got a look at what inspired the noodley melodies that teeter on the edge of madness.
There isn’t much footage of Coleman talking, but throughout the documentary he encourages the other players, David Izenzon and Charles Moffett, with an endearing lisp. He offers thoughts on his public perception between shots of him tuning his violin and the romantic backdrop of Paris, the combination of which keeps a smile on your face for the entire 30 minutes.
