The Chicago-based jazz sextet The Awakening was part of the top tier of jazz combos in the first half 1970s. It was amongst the Revolutionary Ensemble, the low-profile bands of Fred Anderson, Sunny Murray and Hadley Caliman, Hampton Hawes and Billy Harper. Who was in the top tier? The Art Ensemble Of Chicago, led by Charles Mingus and Cecil Taylor, Elvin J. Jones, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Phil Woods and Herbie Hancock were all considered to be in the top tier. from https://soundsoftheuniverse.com
