The Free Spirits

The Free Spirits was an American band credited as the first jazz-rock group.^[1] The band also incorporated elements of pop^[2] and garage rock.^[3] Their first album, Out of Sight and Sound, was recorded in 1966^[4] and released in 1967.

The Free Spirits
The Free Spirits in 1966
Background information
Origin	New York City, U.S.
Genres	Jazz-rock
Years active	1965–1968
Labels	Sunbeam, ABC
Past members	Larry Coryell Bob Moses Jim Pepper Chris Hills Columbus "Chip" Baker

History

The band formed in New York as a jazz group. Every member except Chip Baker had a background in jazz. According to drummer Bob Moses, guitarist Larry Coryell turned the group to more rock-oriented music.^[1] The band played several times in a New York club called The Scene but made little money from the shows, getting paid only ten dollars as a group per night. The band also performed with Mitch Ryder and The Rascals.^[5]

By 1967, Coryell left the band to play with Gary Burton. Moses also joined Burton because he "knew that it wasn't going to be the same without Coryell".^[6] Pepper, Hills, and Baker formed the band Everything is Everything with Lee Reinoehl on Hammond C-3 organ and both John Waller and Jim Zitro on drums. Vanguard released their self-titled album, which included Pepper's composition "Witchi Tai To".^[7] Moses later recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, and Coryell.^[8]

Personnel

• Larry Coryell – lead guitar, sitar, lead vocals
• Columbus "Chip" Baker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Jim Pepper – tenor sax, flute
• Chris Hills – bass guitar
• Bob Moses – drums

Discography

• Out of Sight and Sound (ABC, 1967)
• Live at the Scene (Sunbeam, 2011)