The New Thing

The New ThingLadies and gentlemen, our first number is based on the traditional nineteen--nineteen beats to the bar. The subdivision goes like this: three, three, two, two, two, one, two, two, two. Actually, that's just the area code." (Laughter) "And that's the name of the piece." This is Don Ellis, trumpet in hand, addressing the crowd at the 1966 Monterey Jazz Festival.Ellis then turned his bearded young face to his band and illustrated simplicity lost by shouting off the tempo...