New York Contemporary Five

THE BRAND NEW York Modern Five, although somewhat forgotten today, was an especially noteworthy group during its year of existence — a pioneering avant-garde combo. Trumpeter Don Cherry got recently departed through the Ornette Coleman Quartet and he was simply beginning to loosen up into folk music when he helped type the group. Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, who got used Cecil Taylor, was still a name at that time but was maturing quickly. Altoist John Tchicai initial gained a little bit of see during his period using the quintet, while bassist Don Moore and drummer J.C. Moses shaped a versatile and complementary rhythmic bottom. THE BRAND NEW York Modern Five primarily performed in European countries during its season, documenting four albums from 1962-63 (two apiece for Fontana and Sonet) and one in Feb 1964 for Savoy (with Shepp, Tchicai and either Ted Curson or Don Cherry on trumpet getting joined up with by bassist Ronnie Boykins and drummer Sunny Murray) before its unavoidable breakup.