Franck Médioni compiles critical essays on jazz legend Albert Ayler

Franck Médioni has edited a 300-page volume of critical texts and testimonies dedicated to Albert Ayler, the avant-garde jazz saxophonist who drowned in the East River at age 34. The book, published by Éditions le mot et le reste, gathers contributions from musicians, writers, and journalists. In a preface, writer Jacques Henric recounts first encountering Ayler's music at a 1980s Paris performance by choreographer Karole Armitage, with sets by painter David Salle. Henric describes the music as electrifying, comparing its impact to his first visit to Venice or seeing Barnett Newman's paintings. He later incorporated Ayler into his 1988 novel Walkman (Grasset). Henric credits the late Daniel Caux for promoting Ayler in France, notably organizing the musician's July 1970 concert at Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The book aims to deepen appreciation of Ayler's work, including key pieces like 'Holy Ghost,' 'Spirits,' 'Our Prayer,' and 'Bells.'