Nuits de La Fondation Maeght is a live album by the American jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler recorded on July 27, 1970 at the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, and originally released in 1971 in two volumes on the Shandar label. The album documents one of the last known performances by Ayler prior to his death in November of that year. Background In 1970, Daniel Caux, a writer and painter associated with the Fluxus movement, was asked by the Maeght Foundation to curate an art exhibition, the focus of which was the United States. The foundation also requested that Caux put together a series of concerts of contemporary music in conjunction with the event, and he chose two areas that he felt were interesting and representative of musical activities in the U.S. at the time: minimalist music and free jazz. With regard to the former style, he invited Terry Riley and La Monte Young; with regard to free jazz, he invited Albert Ayler and Sun Ra. By 1970, Ayler's situation had become increasingly difficult. His recent records, such as New Grass, had received negative press and sold poorly, and Impulse! Records dropped him from the label, leading to financial difficulties. At the same time, Ayler apparently blamed himself for the breakdown suffered by his brother Donald, which caused friction within his family and additional stress. The opportunity to perform in France gave Ayler a chance to step away from this situation, and to revisit the country where he had played while in the army, and where he had developed an appreciation for martial music. Caux recalled: "In Saint-Paul-de-Vence Albert Ayler seemed happy, radiant. Even if, from time to time, one could notice a slight melancholy in his eyes... It was... optimism, enthusiasm, and spontaneous laugher that prevailed." Caux arranged for Ayler and his band to perform at the Maeght Foundation on July 25 and 27. However, while traveling to France with the group, pianist Call Cobbs was detained at customs, causing him to arrive late and miss the first concert. Ayler's bagpipes were also damaged during the trip, and as a result they were difficult to use. Despite these setbacks, the group, which also included vocalist and saxophonist Mary Maria (Mary Parks), bassist Steve Tintweiss, and drummer Allen Blairman, performed the July 25 concert without Cobbs, resulting in the material that would be released on the album Live on the Riviera.