Anthony Braxton

United States

"The intricate interplay of dissonance and harmony creates an unpredictable yet captivating tension that invites active engagement from listeners."

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2 Compositions (Järvenpää) 1988

1996

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Career Arc

Anthony Braxton's discography from 1968 to 2025

1968 1996 2025

3 Compositions of New Jaz... (1968) Anthony Braxton (1969) For Alto (1969) This Time... (1970) Recital Paris 71 (1971) Town Hall 1972 (1972) Saxophone Improvisations... (1972) Donna Lee (1972) The Complete Braxton (1973) Four Compositions (1973) (1973) First Duo Concert (1974) Together Alone (1974) In the Tradition (1974) New York, Fall 1974 (1975) Silence (1975) Five Pieces 1975 (1975) Trio and Duet (1975) Creative Orchestra Music... (1976) In the Tradition Volume 2 (1976) Duets 1976 (1976)

Anthony Braxton's impact on the music landscape extends far beyond traditional boundaries, reshaping how listeners engage with sound and improvisation.

Anthony Braxton's impact on the music landscape extends far beyond traditional boundaries, reshaping how listeners engage with sound and improvisation. His work challenges the conventions of jazz and explores new dimensions of operatic expression, creating a space for audiences to reconsider their relationship with music as an art form. Through his innovative compositions and performances, he has opened pathways for both musicians and listeners to navigate complex sonic landscapes, fostering a deeper appreciation for abstraction in musical dialogue. Braxton's approach is characterized by a deep commitment to exploration and experimentation, utilizing a variety of instruments, extended techniques, and unconventional structures. This willingness to push against the edges of form allows him to create immersive experiences that draw from the past but are firmly rooted in the present. His performances often blur the lines between composition and improvisation, inviting spontaneity while maintaining a rigorous framework that challenges performers and captivates audiences. Lyrically, when he incorporates vocal elements, Braxton often delves into themes of identity, culture, and the essence of sound itself, using a tone that ranges from thoughtful to confrontational. His storytelling tends to be impressionistic rather than linear, allowing for personal interpretations that resonate differently with each listener; irony mingles with sincerity as he navigates complex emotional territories.

Full discography

Anthony Braxton's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

121 releases • 121 albums • 1968–2025

Discography may be incomplete (121 of ~126 albums indexed)

Type:

Albums ()

Quartet (England) 1985

2025

Sax QT (Lorraine) 2022

2024

Solo Bern 1984: First Visit

2024

10 Comp (Lorraine) 2022

2024

Duo (DCWM) 2013

2016

19 Standards (Quartet) 2003

2010

Old Dogs

2010

Quartet (Mestre) 2008

2010

Beyond Quantum

2008

Solo (Pisa) 1982

2007

Trio (Victoriaville) 2007

2007

Ninetet

2007

Black Vomit

2006

Duo (Victoriaville) 2005

2006

Composition No. 175 / Composition No. 126: Trillium Dialogues M

2006

20 Standards (Quartet) 2003

2005

Ninetet

2005

23 Standards (Quartet) 2003

2004

Duo Palindrome 2002. Vol. 2

2004

Duo Palindrome 2002. Vol. 1

2004

Six Standards

2004

Two Compositions (Trio) 1998

2003

Ninetet

2003

Four Compositions (GTM) 2000

2003

Ninetet

2002

Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 2

2000

Quintet (Basel) 1977

2000

Composition No. 94 for Three Instrumentalists

1999

Small Ensemble Music

1999

Solo (Skopje) 1995

1997

Four Compositions (Quartet) 1995

1997

Ensemble

1997

2 Compositions (Järvenpää) 1988

1996

Composition No. 173

1996

Sextet (Istanbul) 1996

1996

10 Compositions (Duet) 1995

1996

Anthony Braxton's Charlie Parker Project 1993

1995

Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 1

1995

Seven Standards 1995

1995

Solo Piano

1995

Trio (London) 1993

1994

Quartet (Coventry) 1985

1993

Duo (London) 1993

1993

4 (Ensemble) Compositions 1992

1993

Duets

1993

Anthony Braxton's Charlie Parker Project

1993

Ensemble (Victoriaville) 1988

1992

Willisau (Quartet) 1991

1992

Duets: Hamburg 1991

1992

2 Compositions (Ensemble) 1989/1991

1992

Dortmund (Quartet) 1976

1991

Quartet (Birmingham) 1985

1991

Eight (+3) Tristano Compositions, 1989: For Warne Marsh

1990

Compositions 99, 101, 107 & 139

1989

Seven Compositions

1989

Zurich Concerts

1988

Six Monk's Compositions

1987

Five Compositions (Quartet) 1986

1986

Anthony Braxton / Robert Schumann String Quartet

1986

Seven Standards

1985

Six Compositions

1984

Composition 113

1984

Four Compositions (Quartet) 1983

1983

Six Compositions: Quartet

1982

Open Aspects '82

1982

For Two Pianos

1982

Six Duets

1982

Composition 98

1981

Performance (Quartet) 1979

1981

Alto Saxophone Improvisations 1979

1979

Seven Compositions 1978

1979

For Four Orchestras

1978

For Trio

1978

The Montreux/Berlin Concerts

1977

Creative Orchestra Music 1976

1976

In the Tradition Volume 2

1976

Duets 1976

1976

Solo: Live at Moers Festival

1976

New York, Fall 1974

1975

Silence

1975

Five Pieces 1975

1975

Trio and Duet

1975

First Duo Concert

1974

Together Alone

1974

In the Tradition

1974

The Complete Braxton

1973

Four Compositions (1973)

1973

Town Hall 1972

1972

Saxophone Improvisations Series F

1972

Donna Lee

1972

Recital Paris 71

1971

Piano Quartet, Yoshi's 1994

1996

Duo

1995

Creative Orchestra (Köln) 1978

1995

Composition No. 174

1994

Prag 1984

1990

Eugene

1989

Composition No. 96

1989

Quartet (London) 1985

1988

Quartet: Live at Moers Festival

1976

This Time...

1970

9 Standards (Quartet) 1993

19

Octet

Composition 192

Quartet (Santa Cruz) 1993

Duets Vancouver 1989

Composition No. 165

(Victoriaville) 1992

Donaueschingen (Duo) 1976

Elements of Surprise

Duo (Leipzig) 1993

Tentet

Wesleyan

14 Compositions

11 Compositions

Duo (Amsterdam) 1991

Twelve Compositions

Anthony Braxton

1969

For Alto

1969

3 Compositions of New Jazz

1968

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

3 Compositions of Ne... (1968)

Anthony Braxton (1969)

For Alto (1969)

This Time... (1970)

Recital Paris 71 (1971)

Town Hall 1972 (1972)

Saxophone Improvisat... (1972)

Donna Lee (1972)

The Complete Braxton (1973)

Four Compositions (1... (1973)

First Duo Concert (1974)

Together Alone (1974)

In the Tradition (1974)

New York, Fall 1974 (1975)

Silence (1975)

Five Pieces 1975 (1975)

Trio and Duet (1975)

Creative Orchestra M... (1976)

In the Tradition Vol... (1976)

Duets 1976 (1976)

Quartet: Live at Moe... (1976)

Solo: Live at Moers... (1976)

The Montreux/Berlin... (1977)

For Four Orchestras (1978)

For Trio (1978)

Alto Saxophone Impro... (1979)

Seven Compositions 1... (1979)

Composition 98 (1981)

Performance (Quartet... (1981)

Six Compositions: Qu... (1982)

Open Aspects '82 (1982)

For Two Pianos (1982)

Six Duets (1982)

Four Compositions (Q... (1983)

Six Compositions (1984)

Composition 113 (1984)

Seven Standards (1985)

Five Compositions (Q... (1986)

Anthony Braxton / Robert Schumann String Quartet

Anthony Braxton / Ro... (1986)

Six Monk's Compositi... (1987)

Zurich Concerts (1988)

Quartet (London) 198... (1988)

Compositions 99, 101... (1989)

Seven Compositions (1989)

Eugene (1989)

Composition No. 96 (1989)

Eight (+3) Tristano Compositions, 1989: For Warne Marsh

Eight (+3) Tristano... (1990)

Prag 1984 (1990)

Dortmund (Quartet) 1... (1991)

Quartet (Birmingham)... (1991)

Ensemble (Victoriavi... (1992)

Willisau (Quartet) 1... (1992)

Duets: Hamburg 1991 (1992)

2 Compositions (Ense... (1992)

Quartet (Coventry) 1... (1993)

Duo (London) 1993 (1993)

4 (Ensemble) Composi... (1993)

Duets (1993)

Anthony Braxton's Charlie Parker Project

Anthony Braxton's Ch... (1993)

Trio (London) 1993 (1994)

Composition No. 174 (1994)

Anthony Braxton's Charlie Parker Project 1993

Anthony Braxton's Ch... (1995)

Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 1

Knitting Factory (Pi... (1995)

Duo (1995)

Seven Standards 1995 (1995)

Solo Piano (1995)

Creative Orchestra (... (1995)

2 Compositions (Järv... (1996)

Composition No. 173 (1996)

Sextet (Istanbul) 19... (1996)

10 Compositions (Due... (1996)

Piano Quartet, Yoshi... (1996)

Solo (Skopje) 1995 (1997)

Four Compositions (Q... (1997)

Ensemble (1997)

Composition No. 94 for Three Instrumentalists

Composition No. 94 f... (1999)

Small Ensemble Music (1999)

Knitting Factory (Piano/Quartet) 1994, Vol. 2

Knitting Factory (Pi... (2000)

Quintet (Basel) 1977 (2000)

Ninetet (2002)

Two Compositions (Tr... (2003)

Ninetet (2003)

Four Compositions (G... (2003)

23 Standards (Quarte... (2004)

Duo Palindrome 2002.... (2004)

Duo Palindrome 2002.... (2004)

Six Standards (2004)

20 Standards (Quarte... (2005)

Ninetet (2005)

Black Vomit (2006)

Duo (Victoriaville)... (2006)

Composition No. 175 / Composition No. 126: Trillium Dialogues M

Composition No. 175... (2006)

Solo (Pisa) 1982 (2007)

Trio (Victoriaville)... (2007)

Ninetet (2007)

Beyond Quantum (2008)

19 Standards (Quarte... (2010)

Old Dogs (2010)

Quartet (Mestre) 200... (2010)

Duo (DCWM) 2013 (2016)

Sax QT (Lorraine) 20... (2024)

Solo Bern 1984: Firs... (2024)

10 Comp (Lorraine) 2... (2024)

Quartet (England) 19... (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Anthony Braxton sound like?

The intricate interplay of dissonance and harmony creates an unpredictable yet captivating tension that invites active engagement from listeners. Rooted in jazz and opera. Start with Old Dogs.

What is the best Anthony Braxton album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Old Dogs" (2010). It's the most representative of what makes Anthony Braxton worth hearing.

Who is Anthony Braxton for?

If you're into jazz and opera, Anthony Braxton is worth your time. The intricate interplay of dissonance and harmony creates an unpredictable yet captivating tension that invites active engagement from listeners.

How many albums does Anthony Braxton have?

Anthony Braxton has 121 releases in their discography, including 121 albums.

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