The Copenhagen Tapes
The Copenhagen Tapes is a 2002 release by Ayler Records that combines six live tracks and three studio tracks by American free-j jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler. The live material was recorded on September 3, 1964 at Club Montmartre in Copenhagen, featuring Ayler on tenor with Gary Peacock on bass and Sunny Murray on drums; Don Cherry joined them during the European tour. The three studio tracks were recorded on September 10, 1964 at the Danish Radio studios in Copenhagen. All compositions are by Albert Ayler.
The live set is described as emotionally ferocious, with Ayler and Cherry delivering bold melodies while Peacock and Murray drive the rhythm. The studio portion, by contrast, has a warmer, cleaner sound. While not the best starting point for new listeners, the album is considered a valuable addition to free jazz history.
The Copenhagen Tapes’ live tracks have appeared elsewhere: they were included on the 2004 Revenant Records release Holy Ghost (disc two) and reissued in 2017 as Copenhagen Live 1964 (hatOLOGY). The three studio tracks were later released in 2016 on European Radio Studio Recordings 1964 (hatOLOGY).
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:30 (CET).