Free jazz legend and icon of the avant-garde Ornette Coleman will take over Southbank Centre's riverside venues and spaces as the 16th director of Meltdown. Reflecting the restless, unfettered spirit of this year's director, Meltdown in 2009 will provide a platform for avantrockers, jazz and world music artists alike - giving free reign to reinvention, improvisation and the collaborative concerts Meltdown is renowned for.

Artists confirmed so far to appear in Ornette Coleman's free-spirited Meltdown are: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Sean Lennon, Cornelius, Moby, The Roots, The Master Musicians of Joujouka and Bachir Attar, Patti Smith, The Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra, David Murray, Gwo-Ka Masters, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Baaba Maal, Yo La Tengo, Bobby McFerrin, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, Carla Bley, Robert Wyatt and The Bad Plus.

Since 1993 some of the world most distinguished musicians have been the guest directors of Meltdown. From John Peel through to Massive Attack, via David Bowie, Patti Smith, Morrissey and more, Meltdown has given seminal artists the chance to pick their favourite artists to play and exhibit their work at Southbank Centre.

The New York Dolls reunited for Morrissey; Jeff Buckley played his final UK show at Elvis Costello's Meltdown; Nick Cave, Grace Jones and Pete Doherty sang Disney songs with Jarvis Cocker; Patti Smith performed Horses in full for her Meltdown. This festival brings legendary artists to Southbank Centre for a very special week of one-off performances.


13 June 2009
David Murray & Gwo-Ka Masters+ Jamaaladeen Tacuma

13 June 2009
The Roots with guest David Murray & more

14 June 2009
Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band featuring Sean Lennon, Cornelius & special guests

15 June 2009
Baaba Maal

15 June 2009
The Freewheeling Yo La Tengo

16 June 2009
Moby

17 June 2009
Bobby McFerrin

18 June 2009
Patti Smith and The Silver Mt. Zion

19 June 2009
Ornette Coleman Reflections of The Shape of Jazz to Come+ Master Musicians of Jajouka

20 June 2009
Charlie Haden: Liberation Music Orchestra with guests Carla Bley and Robert Wyatt + The Bad Plus

21 June 2009
Ornette Coleman: Reflections of This is Our Music + Master Musicians of Jajouka