Alan Braufman: The Avant-Garde Spirit of 1970s Jazz
Alan Braufman is an American alto saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his vital role in the 1970s New York loft jazz scene. His 1975 album Valley of Search, recorded in one day, stands as a landmark document of spiritual, free jazz energy and has achieved cult classic status among collectors.
Early career
Born in New York City, Alan Braufman studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston alongside contemporaries like vibraphonist Jay Hoggard. He returned to New York in the early 1970s, a period of fertile artistic experimentation, and became a resident musician at the now-legendary loft space "Studio We" on Greene Street. This environment, away from traditional clubs, fostered his exploratory approach and led to the formation of his quintet.
Breakthrough
Alan Braufman's breakthrough arrived with the 1975 release of Valley of Search on the India Navigation label, a key imprint for avant-garde jazz. The album, featuring pianist Cooper-Moore, drummer David Lee, and bassist Cecil McBee, captured the raw, communal spirit of the loft scene. Though it did not chart commercially, its powerful sound and rarity made it a highly sought-after artifact for decades, leading to its celebrated reissue.
Key tracks
Valley of Search — The album's title track is a soaring, rhythmic piece that encapsulates the group's collective intensity and Braufman's commanding saxophone voice.
Thankfulness — This composition highlights the spiritual dimension of Braufman's work, building from a meditative flute line into a powerful, celebratory ensemble climax.
Love Is for Real — Featuring a memorable bass line from Cecil McBee, this track showcases Braufman's ability to structure freedom within a soulful, melodic framework.
Destiny — A driving, uptempo piece that demonstrates the quintet's tight interplay and Braufman's fiery, inventive alto saxophone improvisations.
Following the album's release, Alan Braufman continued performing but stepped back from recording as a leader for many years. He worked extensively as a sideman and in collaborative projects, including with guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer and in the cooperative group The Master Brotherhood. His return to solo recording came over four decades later with the 2020 album The Fire Still Burns on Valley of Search Records, reaffirming his enduring creative voice.
Listeners who appreciate the exploratory work of Noah Howard will find a similar blend of fiery passion and melodic searching in Braufman's music. The spiritual jazz currents in Pharoah Sanders resonate with the uplifting energy of Valley of Search. The loft-era innovations of Marion Brown share a direct lineage with Braufman's aesthetic. For the collective improvisation of the era, explore the work of The Art Ensemble Of Chicago.
The music of Alan Braufman, particularly his seminal album Valley of Search, is featured on specialty jazz radio stations and online avant-garde music streams. His work is regularly programmed on free-form jazz stations and independent music radio stations dedicated to deep catalog exploration.
You can hear the pioneering jazz of Alan Braufman on radio stations featured across our network. Discover his influential sound and spiritual energy by tuning into the curated stations available on onairium.com.
