Ornette Coleman collapsed at Bonnaroo Jazz Tent

[Lois Gilbert]

Jazz legend Ornette Coleman suffered a medical emergency during his performance on the last night of Bonnaroo in the 'Something Else' Jazz Tent. Midway through a song, the innovative alto saxophonist collapsed on stage. According to his publicist, the incident is believed to be caused by heat exhaustion. Following the collapse, Coleman was alert and speaking, telling folks backstage that he wasn't suffering any symptoms prior to his performance. However, Coleman has been taken to a local hospital in Tennessee's Coffee County for further treatment.

[Ron Thorne]

Sure hope this is nothing more than heat exhaustion.

[Cem]

My guess & hope: Patchuli, skunk weed and neo-hippie b.o. wafting up to the stage mixed with trust-fund perfume & aftershave knocked him out.

I hope he's out of the fox hole & ramblin' now!

[Mingus]

Mon Jun 18, 1:14 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Jazz legend Ornette Coleman collapsed from heat stroke during his performance Sunday at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tenn. Sunday night he remained in a local hospital under doctor's supervision.

After collapsing on stage, the 77-year-old saxophonist was rushed to a nearby medical tent and given intravenous fluids, according to a Bonnaroo spokesperson. Coleman was said to be lucid and insistent that he had no symptoms before the incident.

Late Sunday, the artist was resting at the local Coffey County Hospital.

His next scheduled concert is July 6 in Kongsberg, Norway.

Reuters/Billboard

[Tom Storer]

Take it easy, Ornette. We need you. Drink plenty of liquids and play shorter sets if necessary.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Fortunately, I would think he would be less likely to suffer from heat stroke in Kongsberg, Norway, even in summer.

[Tom Storer]

Ornette - wear your thermal underwear in Norway!

[Gentle Giant]

Apropos of nothing, I recall seeing Archie Shepp play a daytime outdoor concert at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, and the temperature was in the mid-90s and humid, and Shepp was wearing a black three-piece suit completely unshaded from the sun. I nearly collapsed just watching him.

Hope Ornette's recovering well.

[Sand]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

Fortunately, I would think he would be less likely to suffer from heat stroke in Kongsberg, Norway, even in summer.

Early June was the warmest since 1887 the papers reports and on June 5 this area was the warmest in Europe along with some places in Spain.
It is, however, much colder right now.

Hopefully, Ornette Coleman shall be able to play the Tubaloon - the main stage at the Kongsberg Festival:



oto: Jan Erik Langnes





























Foto: Hanne Johnsen












Foto: Anne Toril Kasin og Lars Graaner





























Foto: Bjørn-Owe Holmberg

[Gary Sisco]

Cool photos.

[Gentle Giant]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Cool photos.

Yeah, architecture is kind of Roger Dean meets Gerald Scarfe.

[Hudson Boy]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Apropos of nothing, I recall seeing Archie Shepp play a daytime outdoor concert at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, and the temperature was in the mid-90s and humid, and Shepp was wearing a black three-piece suit completely unshaded from the sun. I nearly collapsed just watching him.

Hope Ornette's recovering well.

I've seen several older artists play in 100 degree weather. Mose Allison played the South Street pier, in lower NYC, one day a few years ago, and I was ready to drop just standing there. He grew up in Mississippi, and picked cotton. The late guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, when he was pushing 80 years old, played another day in the heat, with no problem.

I don't know how they do it in hot weather, especially the sax players. They're all tough, that's for sure.

[chuckyd4]

Those kind of sweaty, gross outdoor festivals (especially in TN with this kind of weather) are probably no place for a 77 year old man to be exerting himself. Heat exhaustion (or better: Cem's description of the atmosphere) seems like a pretty plausible explanation for this.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and that all remains creative and well in Ornette-land.

[Lazaro Vega]

Any more word on how Ornette's doing, whether he's resumed his tour?

[gonzo]

who is in the most recent group? is ornette doing okay?

[jostber]

http://jazztimes.com/columns_and_fea...?article=11141

[antboy]

I hope he is ok, I plan to see him play in a few weeks at the Umbria jazz fest.

[Hot Ptah]

Does anyone know how Ornette and the other jazz groups were received by the audiences at Bonneroo? Did the young audiences seem to like them or not?

[Lazaro Vega]

From the Jazz Times Link:

UPDATE for June 19: According to his publicity company, Mr. Coleman recovered and was released from Coffey Hospital on Sunday night.