Despite persisting labeling of its music as avant-garde, The New York Contemporary Five played unthreatening contemporary jazz almost as often as it explored more daring materials. Two of Thelonious Monk’s loveliest melodies – “Monk’s Mood” and “Crepuscule with Nellie” – were embedded into their sets, aswell as three of Ornette Coleman’s more accessible, swinging vehicles, “O.C.,”“When Will the Blues Leave,” and “Emotions.” These pieces provided a perspectiveof contemporary jazz that placed the adventurous, even bristling originals penned by Don Cherry, Archie Shepp, and John Tchicai, on a relatively undaunting horizon. – Bill Shoemaker

Archie Shepp - tenor saxophone
Don Cherry - cornet
John Tchicai - alto saxophone
Don Moore - double bass
J.C. Moses - drums