The New York Contemporary Five

Avant-Garde Jazz Ensemble

The New York Contemporary Five was an avant-garde jazz ensemble active in the early 1960s. The group was notable for its pioneering role in the free jazz movement, which sought to break away from the conventional structures of bebop and hard bop. The quintet included some of the era's most innovative jazz musicians: alto saxophonist John Tchicai, trumpeter Don Cherry, tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, bassist Don Moore, and drummer J.C. Moses. Their music was characterized by a high degree of improvisation, collective interplay, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz expression. Although their existence was brief, The New York Contemporary Five left a significant mark on the evolution of jazz music with their dynamic performances and recordings.