The Art Ensemble of Chicago is an avant-garde jazz group that grew out of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in the late 1960s. The ensemble integrates many jazz styles and plays many instruments, including "little instruments": bells, bicycle horns, birthday party noisemakers, wind chimes, and various forms of percussion. The musicians would wear costumes and face paint while performing. These characteristics combined to make the ensemble's performances both aural and visual. While playing in Europe in 1969, five hundred instruments were used
- Lester Bowie – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Bass, Drum, Horns
- Roscoe Mitchell – Soprano, Alto and Bass Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Cymbals, Gongs, Conga Drums, Logs, Bells, Siren, Whistles, Steel Drum, etc.
- Joseph Jarman – Soprano and Alto Saxophones, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Marimba, Vibes, Gongs, Conga Drums, Bells, Siren, Whistles, Guitar
- Malachi Favors Maghostut – Bass, Electric Bass, Banjo, Logs, Cythar, Percussion, etc.
A Jackson in Your House
1. A Jackson in Your House (Roscoe Mitchell) 5:44
2. Get in Line (Roscoe Mitchell) 5:44
3. The Waltz (Roscoe Mitchell) 1:17
4. Ericka (Joseph Jarman) 3:23
5. Song for Charles (Roscoe Mitchell) 17:36
Message to Our Folks
6. Old Time Religion (Roscoe Mitchell) 7:41
7. Dexterity (Charlie Parker) 4:05
8. Rock Out (Roscoe Mitchell) 8:36
9. A Brain for the Seine (Art Ensemble of Chicago) 20:19
Tracks 1-5 recorded on June 23, 1969 at Studios Davout, Paris, France.
Tracks 6-9 recorded on August 12, 1969 at Studios Davout also.