The Groove

The greatest free jazz artists of all time

8 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

This board is decided by who has rated so far. That is not a verdict on this corner of the record — it is the shape of who has voted. Rate what you love and the number moves.

No. 1

John Coltrane

United States of America · 1926–1967 · jazz

5.309

Why this number?

The full board

2 Ornette Coleman

United States of America · 1930–2015 · jazz 2.000

3 Alice Coltrane

United States of America · 1937–2007 · rock 1.029

4 Carlos Santana

United States of America · 1947– · rock 1.029

5 Naked City

United States of America · 1988–1993 · free jazz 0.567

6 シートベルツ

Japan · 1998– · jazz 0.284

7 菅野よう子

Japan · 1964– · jazz 0.284

8 Mr. Bungle

United States of America · 1985– · experimental rock 0.156