Concert Review: Ornette Coleman Quartet with Flea at UCLA

Ornette Coleman is one badass 80 year old trailblazer. Ornette's classic '50's and '60's Atlantic oeuvre (check out the 'Beauty Is A Rare Thing' boxset to have your mind seriously blown) is some of the most seriously hip and boppin' music of all time; from the time of its release until today, the music remains relevant, mindblowing, and revolutionary. The inventor of free jazz was in fine form last week at UCLA. Playing with his son Denardo, who has been his drummer since 10 years of age, acoustic bassist Tony Falanga and electric bassist Al McDowell, Coleman was spellbindingly phenomenal as he and his crack band improvised their way through Coleman tunes both classic and newer. I was initially hesitant about the two bass lineup, but it turned out to be for the best; the acoustic bass played voice like bowed leads and provided a throbbing rhythmic foundation, whereas the electric bass served as a guitar like chordal instrument. Ornette's tone has not diminished with his age, and he still conjures up human-like cries from his alto that echo with the ghosts of bop and the blues. Far out stuff, this was. "9/11", a relatively new song, was one of the scariest things I've ever heard; Denardo's throbbing disco beat combined with Tony Falanga's mournful droning bass and Ornette's piercing alto for one funky, and harrowing tune. Other highlights were classics, among them "Peace", "Blues Connotation" and perhaps Coleman's most famous and enduring tune, the encore "Lonely Woman". One interesting moment came when Coleman soloed over a Bach piece played by Falanga. Tré cool. Less cool was the collaboration with Japanese singer Mari Okubu, who sang like an operatic Yoko Ono.

One of the most special moments of the night came when a third bassist walked on stage, this one playing a Fender jazz model, and wearing a suit, tie, and green hair. Yes, green hair. He almost outdid Ornette's outrageous suit. This monster was none other than Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who prepared to shred through the heads of Ornette Coleman standards with virtuoso skill and funky intensity. Announced the day of the show, the addition of Flea gave the evening a fusion/funk turn that set it apart from a typical Coleman gig.

Overall, a brilliant evening with a master who continues to defy convention, and a rocker who proved his chops in jazz once and for all.

Here is the setlist:

1. Following the Sound
 2. Sleep Talking 
3. Jordan 
4. 9/11
 5. Sphinx
 6. Turnaround
 7. Blues Connotation
 8. Bach 
9. Mari 
10. Out of Order 
11. City Living
 12. Peace
 13. Call to Duty 
14. Dancing in Your Head 
15. Song World
 16. Song X

Encore:
 17. Lonely Woman