Albert Ayler (1936-1970) was a jazz genius, whose story has the status of tragic myth – myth which, as often happens,is informed by truth. He pioneered free jazz on tenor saxophone, creating generations of disciples, beginning with John Coltrane. In his ecstatic soundworld, he forged connections between the furthest reaches of 60s avantgardism, and themusic's beginnings in New Orleans, re-igniting its creative impulses. But free jazz was never a commercially viableform: when Ayler died he had won some critical recognition, but none from the jazz public. 1964 was Ayler's annusmirabilis.