Category: Albert Ayler

Europe 1966 is a 4-LP set documenting four of Albert Ayler’s performances with his quintet that took place over a ten-day period in November 1966. The collection includes the band’s appearances in Berlin, Lörrach, Stockholm, and Paris, where the saxophonist and his group took part in a package tour called Newport In Europe, a George Wein-curated program that also included Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, and Dave Brubeck. Ayler’s group on this tour consisted of his brother Donald Ayler on trumpet, Michel Samson on violin, William Folwell on double bass, and Beaver Harris on drums. (The latter replaced longtime Ayler accompanist Sunny Murray, who opted not to make the European trip.)

When an artist dies young, we’re often left wondering what could have been and looking for clues among their final records and performances. In the case of Albert Ayler, the search is especially frustrating: his death by suicide in November 1970 cut short an intense and singular career, right as he started moving in a new direction. Revelations: The Complete ORTF 1970 Recordings, a new four-CD/Five-LP set provides a tantalizing glance at some of the saxophonist’s final performances: two full shows finally presented in complete form.