12 June 2015

RIP Ornette Coleman

I moved to NYC on January 1, 1985. One of the first truly downtown 'cultural' events (besides a Sun Ra concert) I attended there with Wisdoc was the premiere of this movie:



Shirley Clarke's 1985 documentary "Ornette Coleman: Made in America." If memory serves, we also saw him perform with his son, Denardo.

At the premiere, Wisdoc and I were standing in the lobby talking and waiting for the show to begin, and I said something like, "Don't look now, honey, but he's standing right behind you." And he was! In a shiny white[?] suit, smiling, talking, heading into the show. We both had Coleman records—lp's yo—in our collections when we first met and instantly recognized him. He seemed so friendly and engaged with all the folks clamoring around to shake his hand.

Coleman passed on yesterday at the age of 85. Yep, Ornette, it's "Checkout Time." Godspeed.

2 comments:

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

We both had Coleman records—lp's yo—in our collections when we first met

Wow, congrats to you lovebirds!
~

Jim H. said...

Thanks, thunder. Still going strong. Still share a ton of musical likes (see previous post). Still thankful.