SINCE the late 1960s, Art Ensemble of Chicago has been tearing open the sound fabric of complacent jazz. The quintet have forged sonic waves that were revolutionary in their conception and audacious in their every note.

Now, of the original pioneers, only septuagenarian master multi-reedman Roscoe Mitchell and veteran drummer Famoudou Don Moye remain, outrageous and eternal fixtures of the music.

New instrumental voices have changed their sound. Young bassman Junius Paul and the Houston-born trumpeter Hugh Ragin play in the long-held places of Malachi Favors, Lester Bowie and Joseph Jarman.