James Chance & The Contortions emerged in 1977 as a pivotal force in New York City's no wave scene, blending avant-garde jazz improvisation with punk energy and funk rhythms. Led by the dynamic saxophonist and vocalist James Chance, the band's confrontational performances and innovative sound were showcased on the seminal compilation "No New York" (1978), produced by Brian Eno. Their debut album, "Buy" (1979), remains a landmark of the era, featuring the dance-punk anthem "Contort Yourself." Chance's fusion of Ornette Coleman's freeform jazz with James Brown's funk, filtered through a punk lens, solidified the band's legacy as trailblazers of experimental music. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Chance_and_the_Contortions?utm_source=openai))