Wilmer, V: As Serious As Your Life: Black Music and the Free Jazz Revolution, 1957–1977 (Serpent’s Tail Classics)

In this classic account of the new black music of the 1960s and 70s, celebrated photographer and jazz historian Val Wilmer tells the story of how a generation of revolutionary musicians established black music as the true vanguard of American culture.Placing the achievements of African-American artists such as Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sun Ra in their broader political and social context, Wilmer evokes an era of extraordinary innovation and experimentation that continues to inspire musicians today.As vital now as when it was first published in 1977, As Serious As Your Life is the essential story of one of the most dynamic musical movements of the twentieth century.

An essential masterpiece of jazz history by the renowned photographer and music historian, with a new foreword by Richard Williams.

Foreword by Richard Williams
Author's Prefatory Note

Introduction A State of Mind

PART ONE INNOVATORS AND INNOVATIONS

1 Great Black Music - From a Love Supreme to the Sex Machine

2 John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

3 Cecil Taylor - Eighty-Eight Tuned Drums

4 Ornette Coleman - The Art of the Improviser

5 Sun Ra - Pictures of Infinity

6 Albert Ayler - Spiritual Unity

7 The AACM - Chicago's Alternative Society


PART TWO WHO ARE THE NEW MUSICIANS?

8 As Serious As Your Life


PART THREE GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME!

9 The Spirit Behind the Musicians

10 A Family of Rhythms


PART FOUR WOMAN'S ROLE

11 It Takes Two People to Confirm the Truth

12 'You Sound Good - for a Woman!'

PART FIVE THE CONSPIRACY AND SOME SOLUTIONS

13 Bill Dixon and the Jazz Composers Guild

14 Politics, the Media and Collectivism

15 Recording - Getting the Music Out There

16 Does the Music Have a Future?

Biographies
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index of Names