Zorn, John

This is the fifth CD of new music written expressly for the all-star guitar trio of Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Gyan Riley. Here Zorn draws inspiration from the enigmatic short stories of Argentine philosopher/writer Jorge Luis Borges. Like a collection of short stories, each composition is a miniature world in itself and touches on philosophy and mysticism as well as music. Blending folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass, world music and more, this is truly music of the 21st century-unclassifiable and unique. Filled with telepathic interplay and surprising compositional twists and turns, the music is achingly beautiful and intensely evocative. Another gorgeous creation from downtown alchemist John Zorn and this incredible trio of musical masters!

Calculus is another radical step forward for Zorn-two major 20-minute long-form compositions scored for piano trio. Featuring the incredible young pianist Brian Marsella along with the dynamic rhythm section of Trevor Dunn and Kenny Wollesen, this is a complex and exhilarating display of instrumental virtuosity at its most extreme. Drawing upon all of Zorn's musical obsessions, from thorny atonal- ity to touching minimalism, burning jazz, funk, folk, exotica, ambient, noise and more, this is some of the most ambitious and expansive music ever created for jazz piano trio. Passionately performed by three core members of Zorn's inner circle Calculus is an outrageous and kaleidocopic journey into the unknown!

The latest recording by Zorn's newest ensemble Chaos Magick is a suite inspired by the ancient Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. Combining contemporary classical with jazz, funk, rock, blues, film soundtrack, noise improvisation and so much more this is a wild and evocative trip thru Hell and back. Tight conductions, complex melodies, burning solos, telepathic group interaction and all the wit, humor, joy and mystery that one has come to expect from Zorn's dedicated and passionate crew of virtuosi are in abundant display in this beautiful and unique rendering of the classic Orpheus legend.

Julian Lage and Gyan Riley are two of new music's most accomplished guitar virtuosos and their duo performances are transcendent experiences filled with meticulous detail and telepathic interplay. Here they perform a dramatic book of music inspired by the haunting and enigmatic novel A High Wind in Jamaica-the story of a group of children that gets mixed up with pirates-the twist being the children turn out to be even more dangerous than the pirates. A precursor to The Lord of the Flies, it is considered one of the best English novels ever written. Filled with ominous mystery and a dangerous innocence, Quatrain is another beautiful project from the pen of alchemist John Zorn.

Brian Marsella's dynamic trio steps out for another exciting outing performing a new collection of Zorn compositions inspired by the mysterious and occult cards of the Tarot. This beautiful and varied followup to the popular and critically acclaimed 2019 CD The Hierophant features the remaining thirteen Tarot cards in tight arrangements, highlighting the incredible versatility and virtuosity of this powerhouse all-star jazz trio. A classic reading of occult jazz from our favorite Downtown alchemist!

Preceded by Nove Cantici per Francesco d'Assisi and Virtue (for Julian of Norwich), Teresa de Ávila is the third and final CD in Zorn's trilogy inspired by towering fig- ures 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 com- plex, drawing equally on classical modernism, bluegrass, jazz, Jewish and renais- sance music. Filled with compositional surprises, mysterious moods, beautiful harmonies and a stunning lyricism, Teresa de Ávila 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.

A moody and evocative book of music passionately performed by the remarkable acoustic guitar trio of Julian Lage, Bill Frisell and Gyan Riley, whose previous cd for Tzadik Nove Cantici per Francesco d'Assisi was a Tzadik best seller. Inspired by anchoress Julian of Norwich, one of the founders of Christian mysticism, Virtue is marked by a stunning, seductive lyricism and a remarkable contrapuntal interplay by these three master guitarists. Softly spiritual music that is perfect for meditative late night listening alone or with a special friend.