From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. Volume 8 presents the long-awaited premiere recording of John Medeski's psychedelic organ trio. Featuring David Fiuczynski (Screaming Headless Torsos) in a striking Hendrix/Blood Ulmer mood and the powerhouse drummer G. Calvin Weston (Ornette Coleman, Lounge Lizards), the music is fierce, imaginative and endlessly creative. Touching on funk, jazz, psychedelic rock, metal and more-this is one of the most intense interpretations of the Bagatelles ever conceived. This music will sear your brain!! Essential.
Bill Frisell, Kenny Wollesen, and Carol Emanuel are The Gnostic Trio and their unique blend of minimalism, early music, and jazz has resulted in some of the loveliest music Zorn has ever created. Sing Me Now Asleep is their first CD in over five years and not surprisingly it explores some unexpected new directions - notably two ambient-influenced pieces in the spirit of Zorn's Absinthe and Redbird, and a dramatic long form composition in the style of his cinematic file card works. Enhanced by the moody electronics of Ikue Mori on one hypnotic track, this ninth CD in the legacy of The Gnostic Trio is their most gentle and soothing to date, and heralds a striking new musical direction for this beloved super group.
From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. Volume 7 is a remarkable solo piano performance by Brian Marsella who has become a lynchpin of Zorn's crew of musical masters. Blending classical and jazz into an exhilarating and varied suite, Brian presents a group of thirteen Bagatelles as a beautiful set of theme and variations. This is piano virtuosity at it's finest-a profound exploration into the world of Zorn's Bagatelles.
Vadim is one of the most accomplished pianists of his generation, a musician of astonishing range and passion. His newest work tells a story of compassion, empathy, willpower, resistance, sincerity, falsehood, freedom, and the arduous path to it. As a Ukrainian, he is deeply connected to the current events, however the music is not only about the devastating war, it speaks to us all, reflecting on timeless human challenges and the best aspects of our nature. Placing exhilarating piano improvisations in the context of gorgeous compositions for classical string trio, Perseverantia is Vadim's greatest work to date.
From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. This sixth volume features a pianist who has quickly become a central figure in Zorn's pantheon of musical virtuosos-Brian Marsella. His trio is one of the most talked about ensembles in the Downtown scene and these fabulous performances are filled with fiery solos, a soulful lyricism and telepathic interplay. A highlight of the Bagatelles Marathons, they perform a dramatic program of driving swingers, tender ballads, free jazz explorations and exotic mood pieces.
Written in the 1970s, Zorn's earliest game pieces are legendary (often discussed and workshopped in secret but rarely performed in public) and Curling from 1978 is one of the most elusive and hermetic. Focusing exclusively on long tones, it is quite unusual in Zorn's canon-meditative, minimalist, and hypnotic. Performing here are two ensembles from the Bay Area that have had close ties with Zorn for over forty years and are perfectly suited to execute this challenging and beautiful work. The Rova Sax Quartet and the William Winant Percussion Group are both masters of composition and improvisation and here they take this seductive score to astonishing new heights. 1. Curling 2. Curling
2024 release. Originally formed in 1991, PainKiller is a legendary trio that forged a completely unique language blending jazz, metal, grindcore, ambient, dub, and so much more. Recording again for the first time in over a quarter century, these three master musicians have come up with an intense new musical direction. Mick Harris, performing on his trademark electronics, has created a rich tapestry of beats and sounds that have inspired Laswell and Zorn to some exciting new heights. Samsara presents three old friends exploring some bold new sounds.
This third CD from the dynamic piano trio of Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, and Ches Smith is a delightful surprise-and one of Zorn's greatest achievements. Exploring a wide variety of tempi, moods, and feelings the compositions dive deeply into the parameters of melody, harmony, hythm, and texture, stretching the ballade format to it's limits and beyond. The trio, three essential members of Zorn's inner circle, performs with passion, imagination, virtuosity, and a telepathic improvisational interplay at the very highest level. A stunning collection of modern Ballades performed by three of the greatest young musicians in the Downtown scene. Essential! 1. Ballade Nr. 1 2. Ballade Nr. 2 3. Ballade Nr. 3 4. Ballade Nr. 4 5. Ballade Nr. 5 6. Ballade Nr. 6 7. Ballade Nr. 7 8. Ballade Nr. 8 9. Ballade Nr. 9 10. Ballade Nr. 10 11. Ballade Nr. 11
Julian Lage, Gyan Riley Julian Lage and Gyan Riley have a magical rapport, a deep mutual respect, and have recorded some of Zorn's most melodious and intimate compositions. In addition to the many books of music written for their trio with Bill Frisell, they have also worked together as a duo on The Bagatelles (2015), Midsummer Moons (2017), Book Beri'ah (2019), and Quatrain (2023). For this fifth duo CD Zorn turns again to William Shakespeare for inspiration and has composed a varied collection of ballads, dances, lullabies, and fantasies that will delight, stimulate, and inspire. Her Melodious Lay contains nine poetic, through-composed pieces that blend classical, folk, jazz, film music, and more into a strikingly dramatic musical vision. Modern guitar music at it's very best!
Petra Haden shines in Love Songs Live-an exciting concert version of the new musical from the songwriting team of John Zorn and Jesse Harris. Presented at National Sawdust in September 2023 as part of the Zorn@70 NYC concert series, the music is beautiful, lyrical, with heartwarming lyrics about a love lost and found. Accompanied by the soulful trio of Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, and Ches Smith, this is a dynamic concert performance that pushes musical theatre forward with a creative Downtown edge. Touching upon the languages of the 20th century's most creative musical songsmiths-Sondheim, Weill, Bacharach, and the Tin Pan Alley tradition-Love Songs Live is an absolute delight!
Vinyl LP pressing. All funds from the sale of this LP will go to benefit the Tzadik label. SCP, the online distributor for our direct-to-consumer mail order projects has shut down owing Tzadik $70,000. To help rebalance this loss we are releasing this special vinyl version of six selections from New Masada Quartet Volume One. New Masada Quartet is one of the best groups Zorn has ever had. Bristling hot guitar master Julian Lage, bass wizard Jorge Roeder and 30-year Zorn veteran Kenny Wollesen perform with a crackling live energy that brings the Masada music to life like never before! Led by Zorn's versatile sax and stop-and-start conducting, the music is filled with burning solos, telepathic group interaction, heartfelt lyricism and hypnotic grooves. Please purchase this limited edition LP and help Tzadik continue it's mission to support and document new music in the 21st century. Special Thanks to Sarah Robertson, Marisa Rolish, Scott Hull, Heung-Heung Chin, Bruce Gallanter, Stephen Svacina, Glenn Dicker, and Redeye for donating their time and services to help Tzadik with this special benefit vinyl release.
Recorded at the Grote Kerk in Den Bosch as part of Zorn's 70th birthday celebration at November Music in Den Bosch, this exciting performance pays tribute to one of Zorn's seminal influences-the 15th century painter Hieronymus Bosch. Performing on two different organs simultaneously, running from one to the other, this is one of the most bizarre installments in the entire Hermetic Organ series. The CD begins with a rare private performance of Zorn alone in the church exploring and stretching the organ's capabilities. For the evening performance, A Pilgrimage Through Hell, Zorn's dear friend and colleague of over thirty years John Medeski joins as his organ assistant, and the two of them literally pull out all the stops!
Devon Hoff, Yuka C. Honda, Michael Leonhart, Joao Nogueira, Mauro Refosco, Ches Smith, Johnny Mathar, Sean Ono Lennon. Tzadik is proud to present Asterisms, a beautiful and exploratory instrumental project by Sean Ono Lennon, one of the most creative and versatile musician/composer/producer/songwriters working today. Sean has written countless songs, composed film scores, produced, and performed on dozens of albums-and here he steps out as the leader of an all-star band of Downtown luminaries. Years in the making, the music is powerful, trippy, and intensely imaginative, blending rock, electronics, jazz, and more into an exciting new musical soundscape. With driving rhythms, a stunning lyricism, and a brilliant sense of orchestration, this album is sure to surprise and delight music fans the world 'round. Beautifully recorded, this is modern instrumental music at it's very best-essential!
2024 release. Tzadik is proud to present Asterisms, a beautiful and exploratory instrumental project by Sean Ono Lennon, one of the most creative and versatile musician/composer/producer/songwriters working today. Sean has written countless songs, composed film scores, produced, and performed on dozens of albums-and here he steps out as the leader of an all-star band of Downtown luminaries. Years in the making, the music is powerful, trippy, and intensely imaginative, blending rock, electronics, jazz, and more into an exciting new musical soundscape. With driving rhythms, a stunning lyricism, and a brilliant sense of orchestration, this album is sure to surprise and delight music fans the world 'round. Beautifully recorded, this is modern instrumental music at it's very best-essential!
John Zorn - HERMETIC ORGAN VOLUME 11 - FOR TERRY RILEY / This newest edition of The Hermetic Organ is a beautiful and evocative tribute to one of Zorn's biggest mentors, the pioneer West Coast visionary, Terry Riley. Performed at San Francisco's historic Grace Cathedral during the epic concert series presented by Fred Barnes at the Great American Music Hall in September 2023 for Zorn's 70th birthday, this is one of the most touching and personal of all Zorn's organ recitals. Present in the audience were a large number of the composer's closest and oldest friends, and as a result the music has a deep spiritual edge. Looming over much of this music is the spirit of Terry Riley, one of Zorn's early influences, and one of his dearest friends. Magical!
Louie Belogenis, Trevor Dunn, Ryan Sawyer / Remaining true to the alchemical beginner's mind, Terton is a band that places exploration and improvisation first and foremost. Featuring saxophonist Louie Belogenis, bassist Trevor Dunn, and drummer Ryan Sawyer, the music pushes the envelope of free jazz and points in many directions at once. In Tibetan Buddhism, a terton uncovers and reveals esoteric spiritual teachings currently unknown and unpracticed. Like the teachings referred to, the music here are similar treasures-a music deeply buried within the human psyche waiting for an opportune time to appear. Louie, Trevor and Ryan mine this hidden terrain with great honesty, imagination, and craft.
This fifth CD by the Chaos Magick band is one of Zorn's greatest recent achievements. Three extended compositions that run the gamut from Funk, Metal, Contemporary Classical, and more blended into a dramatic narrative that is constantly surprising and yet deeply inevitable. Featuring four of the most accomplished performers in Zorn's inner circle, this is a mind blowing document of Zorn's kaleidoscopic compositional vision. Astonishing and utterly essential! John Medeski, Brian Marsella, Matt Hollenberg, Kenny Grohowski.
Featuring four of the most accomplished musicians in the rich firmament of modern jazz, Incerto is one of Zorn's newest and most exciting projects-a chamber ensemble of striking virtuosity that is capable of covering the full range of Zorn's deepest passions and wildest fantasies. Their fourth CD is a touching tribute to the magical surrealist painter Remedios Varo. Filled with exotic juxtapositions, lush harmonies, lyrical explorations, and fiery solos, this music is a soulful and quirky homage to one of the world's greatest alchemical artists. Brian Marsella, Julian Lage, Jorge Roeder, Ches Smith 1. Blue Equinox 2. Somnambula 3. The Three Wands 4. Nocturnals 5. The Week with Nine Mondays 6. A Wilderness of Mirrors 7. Emerging Light 8. A Luminous Parable of Indeterminate Import 9. Patience
Inspired in part by the Goldberg Variations and Schoenberg's solo piano music, Suite for Piano is Zorn's very personal take on some of the oldest traditional classical forms. It is performed here by one of the most dedicated, virtuosic, and passionate interpreters in the Zorn universe, Brian Marsella, whose educational experience (too "jazz" for the classical world and too "classical" for the jazz world) makes him the perfect interpreter of Zorn's cross-pollinating musical poetics. Accompanied by the telepathic rhythm section of Jorge Roeder and Ches Smith (Heaven and Earth Magick) this is a beautiful and soulful program of music for the classic instrumentation of piano, bass, and drums.
Preceded by Nove Cantici per Francesco d'Assisi and Virtue (for Julian of Norwich), Teresa de Avila is the third and final CD in Zorn's trilogy inspired by towering figures of Christian mysticism. Written for the all-star acoustic guitar trio of Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Gyan Riley whose performances are steeped in a feeling of love and mutual respect, the music is both beautifully simple and strangely complex, drawing equally on classical modernism, bluegrass, jazz, Jewish and renaissance music. Filled with compositional surprises, mysterious moods, beautiful harmonies and a stunning lyricism, Teresa de Avila is a must-have for all fans of acoustic guitar music. This is one of the most personal and varied books of music Zorn has yet written-a lovely tribute to the enduring legacy of one of the world's most beloved spiritual figures. Includes an extended appreciation by renown philosopher Arnold Davidson.
Heaven and Earth Magick showcases Zorn's fabulous and compelling blending of classical virtuosic instrumental writing with the improvisational world of Jazz. Completely notated works for piano and vibraphone brilliantly performed by Steve Gosling and Sae Hashimoto are set against a dynamic improvisational rhythm section of Jorge Roeder and Ches Smith. An exciting new musical world filled with an exhilarating sense of drama and a mischievous wit. Zorn's unique mastery of instrumental writing and wild improvisational conducting skills are here in all their thorny complexity. Essential! Auto-da-Fe * Acephale * Asclemandres * Descent into the Maelstrom * Konx Om Pax * Casting the Runes
A sublime and transcendent memorial to one of Zorn's earliest mentors-Ennio Morricone. Featuring the soulful guitar of Bill Frisell set within the magical sonorities of vibraphone, harp and bells the music takes on an epic orchestral sweep with the added presence of special guest keyboard wizard John Medeski on organ and piano. Filled with beautiful harmonies, a driving rhythmic pulse and stunning lyri-cism, this is some of the most lush and spiritual music Zorn has ever written. Truly music of the Angels-intimate chamber music to heal an aching heart performed by one of the world's most ethereal ensembles.
