Ornette Coleman's emergence in 1958 on Contemporary Records album Something Else!!! was the dawn of a career which would present a revolutionary new approach to playing jazz music and influence countless forward- looking jazz artists. Recorded February 10, 22 and March 24, 1958, in Los Angeles, this recording was the first of two albums made for Les Koenig's influential West Coast label. It is without doubt an essential recording to have in a jazz library.
Nine tunes are presented on this date which included Ornette Coleman, alto saxophone; Don Cherry, cornet; Walter Norris, piano; Don Payne, double bass; and Billy Higgins, drums. In 2007, All About Jazz credited the album with introducing "a new era in jazz", transforming the genre by demonstrating a style of music "freed from the prevailing conventions of harmony, rhythm and melody". Ornette Coleman's work has influenced countless jazz artists, including noted pianist and writer Ethan Iverson.
