The Free Spirits
The Free Spirits was an American band credited as the first jazz-rock group.[1] The band also incorporated elements of pop[2] and garage rock.[3] Their first album Out of Sight and Sound was recorded in 1966[4] and released in 1967.
The Free Spirits | |
|---|---|
 The Free Spirits in 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz-rock |
| Years active | 1965–1968 |
| Labels | Sunbeam, ABC |
| Past members |
|
History
The band formed in New York as a jazz group. Every member except Chip Baker had a background in jazz. According to drummer Bob Moses, guitarist Larry Coryell turned the group to more rock-oriented music.[1] The band played several times in a New York club called The Scene but made little money from the shows, getting paid only ten dollars as a group per night. The band also performed with Mitch Ryder and The Rascals.[5]
By 1967, Coryell left the band to play with Gary Burton. Moses also joined Burton because he "knew that it wasn't going to be the same without Coryell".[6] Pepper, Hills, and Baker formed the band Everything is Everything with Lee Reinoehl on Hammond C-3 organ and both John Waller and Jim Zitro on drums. Vanguard released their self-titled album, which included Pepper's composition "Witchi Tai To".[7] Moses later recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, and Coryell.[8]
Personnel
- Larry Coryell – lead guitar, sitar, lead vocals
- Columbus "Chip" Baker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Pepper – tenor sax, flute
- Chris Hills – bass guitar
- Bob Moses – drums
Discography
- Out of Sight and Sound (ABC, 1967)
- Live at the Scene (Sunbeam, 2011)
References
- Unterberger 1998, p. 329.
- Unterberger, Richie. "The Free Spirits". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- Spicer, Daniel (8 November 2006). "The Free Spirits: Out of Sight and Sound". PopMatters. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- Out of Sight and Sound - The Free Spirits | Releases | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-09-08
- Unterberger 1998, p. 330.
- Unterberger 1998, p. 333.
- "Everything Is Everything". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- Unterberger 1998, p. 334.
- Unterberger, Richie (1998). Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll: Psychedelic Unknowns, Mad Geniuses, Punk Pioneers, Lo-fi Mavericks & More. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-534-7.