Nonesuch Records releases About Ghosts by Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer, and MacArthur fellowMary Halvorson on June 13, 2025. The album features eight new compositions by Halvorson, performed with her sextet Amaryllis, the improvisatory band that also was featured on her critically praised albums Amaryllis, Belladonna, and Cloudward. Amaryllis comprises Halvorson, Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Nick Dunston (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Jacob Garchik (trombone), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet). Saxophonists Immanuel Wilkins and Brian Settles join the ensemble on five tunes. Halvorson's last three records were named Jazz Album of the Year in DownBeat's annual Critics Poll, where she was also named Guitarist of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
Vinyl LP pressing. Nonesuch Records releases About Ghosts by Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer, and MacArthur fellowMary Halvorson on June 13, 2025. The album features eight new compositions by Halvorson, performed with her sextet Amaryllis, the improvisatory band that also was featured on her critically praised albums Amaryllis, Belladonna, and Cloudward. Amaryllis comprises Halvorson, Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Nick Dunston (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Jacob Garchik (trombone), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet). Saxophonists Immanuel Wilkins and Brian Settles join the ensemble on five tunes. Halvorson's last three records were named Jazz Album of the Year in DownBeat's annual Critics Poll, where she was also named Guitarist of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
The album features eight new compositions by Halvorson, performed with her sextet Amaryllis; the improvisatory band that performed on her critically praised 2022 albums Amaryllis and Belladonna comprises Halvorson, Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Nick Dunston (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Jacob Garchik (trombone), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet). Labelmate Laurie Anderson also is featured on the album track "Incarnadine."All the music on Cloudward was written in 2022, mostly in the fall and winter, when things started moving forward. Life felt like a creaky machine starting up again," she continues. "Air travel, however chaotic, had resumed, and we were once again cloudward. Performances and tours and recordings were happening after a long hiatus and with a renewed sense of gratitude. This band, for me, was quite simply working, both musically and personally, and the main thing I felt while writing the music was optimism."
One marker of bassist Michael Formanek's creativity and versatility is the range of distinguished musicians of several generations he's worked with. While still a teenager in the 1970s he toured with drummer Tony Williams and saxophonist Joe Henderson. Starting in the '80s he played long stints with Stan Getz, Fred Hersch and Freddie Hubbard. Formanek is also a composer and leader of various bands. One of his principal recording and international touring vehicles has been his acclaimed quartet with Tim Berne, Craig Taborn and Gerald Cleaver. His occasional groups include the 18-piece all-star Ensemble Kolossus, roping in many New York improvisers he works with. Currently his primary focus is the Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet with Tony Malaby, Kris Davis, and Ches Smith. In putting together the Elusion Quartet, interpreting his music with these specific musicians, Michael Formanek says he sought "a more direct connection to emotions: mine, theirs and the listener's." Hank Shteamer writes in the liner notes: "As one zeroes in on the details of Time Like This, it's clear that this sort of emotional immediacy permeates the album. You hear it in Kris Davis' flowing, balletic solo on "A Fine Mess"; in Tony Malaby's ululating tenor cries on "The Soul Goodbye"; in Ches Smith's raucous grooves on "That Was Then"; or the leader's poised, sinewy lines on "Culture of None." Elusive? Certainly. But as this album proves, under the right conditions, with the right personnel, it's still out there."
Mary Halvorson is one of the most acclaimed guitarists of her generation-a virtuoso improviser, distinctive composer, arranger and a deep student of the jazz guitar. Here she joins forces with living legend Bill Frisell to pay tribute to Johnny Smith, a guitarist who has been a huge influence on them both. Performing 9 ballads associated with Smith and his classic composition Walk Don't Run, this is an essential CD of soulful guitar duets by two of the most beloved and original guitarists in modern jazz. A beautiful cd of ballads like you have never heard them before! Moonlight in Vermont * The Maid with the Flaxen Hair * Scarlet Ribbons for Her Hair * In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning * Shenandoah * The Nearness of You * Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair * Old Folks * Misty * Walk Don't Run
Thirsty Ear would like to congratulate Mary Halvorson, Guitarist and Composer, as Fellow for the 2019 MacArthur Genius Award. Following their critically acclaimed debut trio album, 'Electric Fruit', Mary Halvorson, Weasel Walter and Peter Evans have masterfully crafted their second release 'Mechanical Malfunction'. The trios blistering performances will, in equal parts, enrage, excite and bewilder. Anchored with compositions that sparkle and twist, the tunes morph into magical journeys. Welcome to Jazz 2.0-a brave new world. Fasten your seat belts.
Thirsty Ear would like to congratulate Mary Halvorson, Guitarist and Composer, as Fellow for the 2019 MacArthur Genius Award. Electric Fruit" alludes to the vexing encounter between nature and technology, one of the most complex issues that we face as a global society. The album brings together a powerhouse of innovators?Weasel Walter, Mary Halvorson and Peter Evans?to emphatically capture, question and explore the throes of this crucial contradiction. "Electric Fruit" is a stirring and potent recording of the dangerous confrontation between the innate and the artificial, the organic and the robotic. Each member of the trio brings their peculiarities, problems and powers to the table for a passionate discourse.
Thirsty Ear would like to congratulate Mary Halvorson, Guitarist and Composer, as Fellow for the 2019 MacArthur Genius Award. Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone have collectively been featured in the New York Times, Jazz Review, the Wire, Time Out New York, Time Out Chicago, the New York Press, Jazztimes, All About Jazz, BBC and Downbeat. From the collaborative minds and nimble fingers of Mary Halvorson (Guitar, Vocals) and Jessica Pavone (Viola, Vocals) come a minimalist rendering of emotions and themes, performed with stark clarity and introspection. "Thin Air" is a presentation involving their vast talents as musicians, vocalists and poets. Their lyrics borrow from themes relating to everything from human relationships and travelling to more abstract and intangible elements. These melodies are offered in a sparse yet effervescent style that make the listener feel as though they are sitting right next to them, much like an impromptu coffeehouse performance. Both intimate and forward thinking, this release is a true example of the power of thought, through a unique blending of avant folk with jazz underpinnings.
