Francis was a vibist in the '50s-'60s who struck out in a modern post-bop style and discovered a different voice on his chosen instrument. He is one to seek and study. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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The second track from Tomorrow Is the Question -- Ornette Coleman's 1959 wake-up call to the fusty hard bop movement -- is a medium tempo blues, "Tears Inside." After the statement of the tune's two-beat, countrified-bebop theme, trumpeter Don Cherry plays a solo that -- for all its frail beauty and general adherence to modern jazz's harmonic... [+] Read More

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Hampel is one of jazz's most prolific and self-reliant musicians. In 1969, he formed Birth Records to release The 8th of July 1969, an album of his compositions performed by a group that included Anthony Braxton, Jeanne Lee, Steve McCall, Willem Breuker, and Arjen Gorter. Since then, Birth has released nearly 50 albums of Hampel's work in a... [+] Read More

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This bandleader and composer is part of the international avant-garde jazz movement. He has not made many recordings that are available domestically. Stadler has led groups that reflect influences of Ornette Coleman, Art Ensemble of Chicago, and late-period John Coltrane. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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Jay Hoggard has had a wide-ranging career. One of the top vibraphonists to emerge during the 1970s, Hoggard originally started on piano and saxophone before switching to vibes. By the early '70s, he was working in New England with such top avant-garde players as Anthony Davis and Leo Smith. Hoggard moved to New York in 1977, where he played with... [+] Read More

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The Chicago vibraphonist plays post-bop. Not a truly distinctive sound, but a very good player of standards and originals. Deserving wider recognition. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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Paul Bley has long offered avant-garde pianists an alternative approach to improvising than that of Cecil Taylor. Bley has been able to use melody and space in inventive ways while performing fairly free improvisations. He started on piano at age eight, studied at Juilliard during 1950-1952, and in 1953 played with Charlie Parker on a Canadian... [+] Read More

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Terry Pollard was quite active in jazz of the 1950s, although not too much has been heard from her since. She was part of the very fertile Detroit jazz scene in the late 1940s and early '50s, playing piano with many of the major up-and-coming players and recording with Billy Mitchell in 1948. Pollard -- who worked with Johnny Hill from 1948-49,... [+] Read More

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Walt Dickerson made an impact when he first emerged in the early '60s -- he won the Down Beat Critic's Poll as New Star in 1962 -- but as the years have passed, he's become much less visible. Dickerson graduated from Morgan State College in 1953. After serving in the Army from 1953-1955, he settled in California, where he led a band that... [+] Read More

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Plays tenor vibes and marimba in sparse, ECM-ish contemporary setting. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

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