In the 1950s and 1960s, jazz underwent rapid changes: big orchestras gave way to small ensembles, and improvisation came to the forefront. In the interactive lecture, guests will hear the music of the leading jazz musicians of the era and analyze their contributions to the genre. In the mid-20th century, jazz significantly changed its direction. The big orchestras that defined the sound of the 1940s gradually made way for smaller ensembles, and the familiar harmonic system became increasingly free. Musicians experimented with tempo, modality, and improvisation. In the interactive lecture, participants will listen to recordings and analyze the work of key figures of the era. The focus will be on Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Ornette Coleman, and other musicians whose explorations changed the perception of jazz. Listeners will trace how the life paths of the musicians were reflected in their work and how artistic innovations are connected to personal experience. The host, Timofey Gorshkov, is an independent researcher of contemporary culture, a mediator, and a consultant on accessibility issues for museums and art spaces.