Also known as avant-jazz, is a style of music and improvisation that combines elements of avant-garde art music and composition with elements of traditional jazz.

Avant-jazz often sounds very similar to free jazz, but differs in that, contrary to the impression it may give that it results from a very distinct departure from traditional harmony, it has a predetermined structure over which improvisation may take place or in some cases it may even be completely or partially composed note for note in advance. Representative artists include George Adams, John Coltrane (later period), Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland, Pharaoh Sanders, Sun Ra and Archie Shepp.