Derek Bailey Essentials

A crucial figure in the world of free improvisation, English guitarist Derek Bailey transformed music into an adventure that changed radically from moment to moment. Born in 1930, Bailey played in UK jazz bands in the '50s, but quickly found jazz's musical rules too restrictive. Developing a gripping new style in the '60s, he abandoned rhythm and melody, shocking and amazing listeners with unpredictable bursts of sound. Bailey would go on to release dozens of albums, collaborate with the greats of modern avant-garde music and continue to push musical boundaries until his death in 2005.