29 March 2009 - It was announced today that the 'free jazz' legend will be the artistic director of the festival, which takes place between the 13th and 21st June.
It’s 50 years since Coleman exploded into people’s consciousness with his ‘free jazz’ revolution. He pioneered the idea of improvising without chord changes, which is widely regarded to have changed the musical landscape at the time.
And half a century later Coleman is still making headlines, his 2006 albumSound Grammar won thePulitzer Prize, in 2007 he received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and that same year the saxophonist played the Royal Festival Hall to rave reviews.
Coleman revealed his hopes for Meltdown 2009:
"I hope this festival will leave us with a lot of love for all mankind. We will use this time to gather together and create things that we love and believe in."
"I hope this festival will leave us with a lot of love for all mankind."Ornette Coleman
Jude Kelly, the Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director, explained their decision to enlist Coleman:
"We are delighted that the man who took the world in an entirely unexpected direction in 1959, and who continues to inspire, innovate and surprise fifty years on, has accepted our invitation to create a festival."
The full line-up for the event is still to be announced but it’s confirmed that Coleman will perform two very special concerts. One is inspired by his 1959 releaseThe Shape of Jazz to Comeand the other by his 1961 releaseThis Is Our Music. Both concerts will take place in the Royal Festival Hall.Previous Meltdown curators include Massive Attack and Jarvis and acts including David Bowie, Morrissey and Patti Smith have all performed at the event.Elizabeth Alker
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