I am going to chime in here and propose that both “free jazz” and “jazz” itself both are long over-due for a serious rebranding. I get annoyed at genre classification because it leads to statements like “I don’t like free jazz” or “free jazz is too dissonant for me”, "I only like free jazz live", etc. Lines drawn in the sand are always washed away by the tide (time), and only serve to limit the lay-listener's experience and divide records at the (now defunct) record store. The ‘Glass Bead Game’ that is modern improvised music has grown to encompass the totality of world music and ALL the traditions. In practice and study, it is certainly ok to focus on and honor one tradition at a time (and have your favorites); but be wary of the instinct to wholly reject entire branches (be them ‘free’ or ‘smooth’) based on limited exposure or initial gut reactions. All there is to do is give it time - one might have totally different ears/perspective next listen. There’s a whole wide world that we can’t necessarily see/hear because we’re often too busy ascribing (imaginary) qualitative judgments to that which simply is. Full disclosure: I'm an idiot and have but a small fraction of the experience most of you lot do, so thanks for posting and letting me hang. These listening suggestions have lit a fire under my butt ("There's gold in them mountains!"), and I've picked up saxophone and flute again (with joy!) for the first time in a long time as a result. Truely invaluable in my experience - thank you!
