Complete Communion – Don Cherry (Blue Note Tone Poet)

Don Cherry’s Complete Communion is a landmark in avant-garde jazz, showcasing his adventurous spirit and vision for a more collective, conversational approach to improvisation. Recorded in 1965 and released on Blue Note, this album features a seamless suite structure divided into two parts, each interweaving multiple themes and motifs. Backed by an outstanding lineup—Gato Barbieri on tenor sax, Henry Grimes on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums—Cherry crafts a fluid and dynamic soundscape that defies traditional form and embraces spontaneous interplay.

What makes Complete Communion so compelling is its sense of continuous movement and democratic energy. Rather than spotlighting solos in a conventional order, the quartet engages in a constant dialogue, where ideas flow rapidly between players, blurring the line between composition and improvisation. Cherry’s pocket trumpet dances through the rich textures with warmth and urgency, while the rhythm section propels the performance with infectious vitality. It's a groundbreaking moment in Cherry’s discography and a cornerstone of 1960s free jazz.

Reviews

“Complete Communion is a joyous, free-flowing marvel that captures Don Cherry at his most open-hearted and exploratory.” – AllMusic

“Cherry's quartet achieves a remarkable cohesion, improvising with empathy and fire throughout this highly structured yet spontaneous suite.” – The Guardian

“An innovative album that redefined the possibilities of form and structure in jazz.” – Pitchfork

“An essential document of the free jazz era, Complete Communion remains as fresh and vital as ever.” – JazzTimes

“A masterpiece of collective improvisation that anticipates the global directions Cherry would later pursue.” – DownBeat