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| Ornette Coleman Receives Honorary Doctorate Groundbreaking saxophonist, composer and father of free jazz Ornette Coleman received an honorary doctorate of music degree from Berklee President Roger Brown, and gave the keynote address at an annual, two-day Berklee College of Music faculty conference. The ceremony also included a musical tribute by alumnus Greg Osby and Coleman’s longtime friend, piano professor JoAnne Brackeen. The 16th Berklee Teachers On Teaching, held throughout the college, is a forum for exchanging recent breakthroughs and innovations, and for teachers to lead peer workshops on topics such as hip-hop, music technology, World music, women’s health, retirement planning, grant research, and cultural diversity. At the event, Berklee Professor of Africana Studies/Culture Bill Banfield asked Coleman what it felt like to be a doctor. “I need a doctor, ” replied Coleman. “This university of knowledge that we call music is represented by the quality of Berklee, ” said Coleman. “I am very happy and honored today to be standing here experiencing something I never believed I would achieve.” From 1959-1961, Coleman recorded a series of influential albums – including the nearly 40-minute pulse-driven epic, Free Jazz – greatly affecting John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, and most of the other advanced improvisers of the 1960s. He later took up the violin – which he played as a drum – as well as trumpet, and, in 1965, he recorded sets on all his instruments. In the 70’s, Coleman formed Prime Time, a “double quartet” comprised of two guitars, two electric bassists, two drummers, and his own alto. Coleman recently started his own label, Sound Grammar – named after the universal language used by musicians to communicate – and will release Live At Carnegie Hall, 2003, in early 2006. He is also working on his third music theory book. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |