Performers

John Zorn’s Electric Masada (New York)

Within John Zorn’s massive oeuvre, the name Masada tends to be associated with his classic (acoustic) quartet, documented on a staggering number of recordings throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the name refers just as readily to Zorn’s book of 500-plus brief compositions that, in their deployment of traditional ‘Jewish’ modes as provocations for improvisation in oft-extreme contexts, are at the core of his exploration of what he calls “Radical Jewish Culture.” Appropriately, given Zorn’s characteristically pan-idiomatic approach, the book lends itself to diverse interpretation by several small groups under his leadership.

While Zorn’s classic quartet approached the material through the lens of Ornette Coleman’s early acoustic ensembles, other related projects that delve into the Masada book include the chamber music of the Masada String Trio and the quasi-lounge music of the Bar Kokhba sextet. Electric Masada is perhaps the most active of these ensembles over the past few years. Featuring stellar and by-now-legendary members of the New York’s Downtown scene, the band interprets the compositions through a canny blend of Bitches Brew-derived jazz fusion and contemporary noise music.

At the centre of it all, however, are Zorn’s razor-sharp conducting and distinctively idiosyncratic saxophone playing – acidic, lyrical, and violent in turn.

Website:
www.tzadik.com

Artists:
John Zorn – saxophone
Marc Ribot – guitar
Jamie Saft – piano
Trevor Dunn – bass
Cyro Baptista – percussion
Kenny Wollesen – drums
Joey Baron – drums
Ikue Mori – electronics