23 Standards (Quartet) 2003 cover

23 Standards (Quartet) 2003

Anthony Braxton · 2004

269 min · 23 tracks · jazz · opera

A masterful blend of avant-garde improvisation and classic jazz standards, revealing unexpected emotional depths.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • extended exploration of familiar themes
  • wave-like pacing with emotional peaks
  • immersive experience for attentive listeners
  • unexpected depth in classic standards
  • for reflective late-night sessions

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context
By the time '23 Standards (Quartet)' was released in 2004, Anthony Braxton had established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz. This album came after a prolific period marked by a diverse range of projects, showcasing his continued innovation in the genre and his ability to reinterpret traditional jazz standards through an experimental lens.
Stylistic neighbors
Ornette Coleman· Sun Ra· Henry Threadgill

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Crazy Rhythm 16:50
  • 2 Off Minor 11:36
  • 3 Desafinado 4:35
  • 4 26-1 11:15
  • 5 Why Shouldn't I 10:42
  • 6 Giant Steps 12:32

Disc 2

  • 1 Tangerine 14:35
  • 2 Black Orpheus 13:53
  • 3 Round Midnite 13:03
  • 4 Ju-Ju 10:26
  • 5 After You've Gone 17:16

Disc 3

  • 1 Everything I Love 12:24
  • 2 I Can't Get Started 11:09
  • 3 It's a Raggy Waltz 10:12
  • 4 Countdown 12:08
  • 5 Blue in Green 5:11
  • 6 Beatrice 9:27

Disc 4

  • 1 Only the Lonely 6:37
  • 2 Recorda Me 15:52
  • 3 Ill Wind 17:00
  • 4 I'll Be Easy to Find 11:29
  • 5 Three to Get Ready 10:29
  • 6 Dolphin Dance 10:47

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata