Jazz has continuously evolved as a result of freeing itself from constraints. According to Steve Haines, jazz bassist and director of the Miles Davis Jazz studies program at the university of North Carolina, jazz as taught in music institutions today is being ‘whitewashed and creativity is being strangled. He says “we need to be singing what’s inside of our soul”.

In this episode we play music that well illustrates the freedom that is such an integral part of jazz. You’ll hear historical recordings by Charles Mingus, Charlie Haden & The Liberation Orchestra, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday.

I also play more modern music. These include recordings by Mike Murley, Joe Chambers, and Simona Smirnova—a Lithuanian Kankles player. As well, you’ll enjoy the track from one of Steve Haines’ four albums under his own name, which he describes as “a silly little melody where the improvisers get to choose which tempo to play on every chorus”.

Then there’s that gospel track from 1928 by Arizona Dranes that sounds so free—despite a rather constraining title.

Some of the greatest jazz has been made thanks to people not allowing their limitations to stop them. Steve Haines talks about how Billie Holiday and Charlie Haden are the classic examples of that kind of freedom.