Guardian Music — This year's magical Meltdown finds Yoko Ono backed by Sean Lennon, the Roots rapping up a storm, Baaba Maal and friends in dazzling harmony and Patti Smith hypnotised by a pagan sound of wallNow in its 16th year, the Southbank Centre's Meltdown festi... more info

All About Jazz — This interview is part of the book/dvd project "Under your skin" which will include Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Zap Mama, Chuck D / Public Enemy, Korn, Les Nubians, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Dj Vadim, Bob James, Living Colour, M... more info

Guardian Music — London Royal Festival HallPatti Smith regards the audience in the Royal Festival Hall with an affectionate, rather maternal smile and sighs. "In the true spirit of Ornette Coleman high-pressure Meltdown," she announces, "I'll be joined by many people... more info

Guardian Music — Royal Festival Hall, LondonIt seems fitting that Philadelphia hip-hoppers the Roots should help kick off Ornette Coleman's Meltdown festival. Like Coleman, they've worked with guitarist James Blood Ulmer; like Coleman, they feature a nerdy-looking wh... more info

Guardian Music — The Meltdown organisers want your suggestions as to who should put together next year's festivalAnyone in attendance during Sunday's performance at London's Southbank Centre would have been treated to the unusual sight of Yoko Ono performing alongsid... more info

All About Jazz — June 6 - Yoko Ono receives Golden Lion lifetime achievement award at the Venice Biennale June 14 - Meltdown Festival, Royal Festival Hall, London, YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND with special guests Ornette Coleman, Antony Hegarty and Mark Ronson. DON'T ... more info

Guardian Music — Royal Festival Hall, LondonMidway through the third night of Ornette Coleman's Meltdown festival, Yoko Ono is yelping like someone walking barefoot across hot sand. Sean Lennon's guitar is emitting vomitous gouts of noise. On the screen above the sta... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — by Andrew Frisicano At the June 11th Bang on a Can benefit at (Le) Poisson Rouge, Gutbucket played a set of prog jazz tunes that drew on influences that included Charlie Parker, electronica, Ornette Coleman, '80s metal and more. The... more info

Guardian Music — Southbank Centre, LondonThe opening night of Ornette Coleman's Meltdown festival featured drummer Tony Allen and his band. The music of Nigerian-Ghanaian Allen may seem an odd choice for a festival curated by the godfather of free jazz, but in the ev... more info

All About Jazz — Stan Kenton could be grandiose in his music. Otherwise, for the most part, he was down to earth. In the 1950s following a concert, a reporter asked him, "Mr. Kenton, where is jazz going from here?" "Well," Kenton said, "tomorrow night we'll be in De... more info