John Zorn is joined by extraordinary artists Steve Coleman, Christian McBride, and Ches Smith for a special evening of new music.
Steve Coleman began playing music at the age of 14 on the south side of Chicago.The alto saxophonist studied music and technique for three years. He then decided that he wanted to learn how to improvise and was influenced by the music of Charlie Parker. At Roosevelt University, he concentrated on Chicago’s musical nightlife. By May 1978, he was leading a band, writing music, and playing Parker classics.
Eight-time GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride can be likened to a force of nature, fusing the fire and fury of a virtuoso with the depth and grounding of a seasoned journeyman. Powered by a relentless energy and a boundless love of swing, the Philadelphia native has become one of the most requested, most recorded and most respected figures in the music world today.
Originally from Sacramento, California, Ches Smith is a drummer, percussionist, and composer based in New York. He has collaborated with a host of artists on many scenes since the early 2000s, including Marc Ribot, Tim Berne, John Zorn, Darius Jones, David Torn, Nels Cline, Mary Halvorson, Terry Riley, Kris Davis, Dave Holland, Secret Chiefs 3, Good for Cows, and Mr. Bungle, among others.
Drawing on his experience in a variety of genres including jazz, rock, hardcore punk, classical, klezmer, film, cartoon, popular and improvised music, John Zorn has created an influential body of work that defies academic categories. A native of New York City, he has been a central figure in the downtown scene since 1975, incorporating a wide range of musicians in various compositional formats. He learned alchemical synthesis from Harry Smith, structural ontology with Richard Foreman, how to make art out of garbage with Jack Smith, cathartic expression at Sluggs and hermetic intuition from Joseph Cornell. Early inspirations include American innovators Ives, Varese, Cage, Carter and Partch, the European tradition of Berg, Stravinsky, Boulez and Kagel, soundtrack composers Herrmann, Morricone and Stalling as well as avant-garde theater, film, art and literature.
