John Zorn, the great reference of avant-garde jazz, is a prolific and multifaceted artist: composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. His name appears as a performer, composer or producer on hundreds of albums. He has worked in numerous genres: jazz, rock, hardcore punk, classical music, klezmer, improvised music, soundtracks…

In addition to all of the above, Zorn is the catalyst of an avant-garde scene, mainly in New York, which includes hundreds of musicians of enormous value and impact. Jazz in New York is inconceivable without the involvement of some of the musicians who move in Zorn’s orbit.

John Zorn’s successful performances at the Jazzaldia have left a deep mark: in 2013 with his Masada Marathon, in 2015 with the Bladerunner Trio and in 2019, the year in which he received the Donostiako Jazzaldia Award, with Bagatelles Marathon. In this 59th edition of the Jazzaldia, the music of the great American master will be present with 6 different groups that will perform on three consecutive days, on 26 and 27 July at the Kursaal Auditorium and on 28 July at the Plaza de la Trinidad.

Ten musicians participating in the six projects: Julian Lage, Gyan Riley, Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, Ches Smith, John Medeski, Matt Hollenberg, Kenny Grohowski, John Zorn and Kenny Wollesen.

QUATRAIN
Julian Lage (guitar), Gyan Riley (guitar)

Julian and Gyan are two of the world’s foremost guitar virtuosos. They first teamed up for Zorn’s “Bagatelles” project in 2015 and their duo performances are truly a transcendent experience, with seemingly telepathic interplay, a multitude of meticulous detail and stunning fireworks-filled solos.

Their 2017 CD “Midsummer Moons” (inspired by Shakespeare’s lunar imagery) is one of Zorn’s most beautiful creations. This time they will perform music inspired by Richard Hughes’ haunting and enigmatic novel A High Wind in Jamaica. Mysterious and sinister compositions, imbued with a dangerous innocence – a delight!

SUITE FOR PIANO
Brian Marsella (piano), Jorge Roeder (bass), Ches Smith (drums)

Partially inspired by the Goldberg Variations and Schoenberg’s solo piano music, Suite For Piano is Zorn’s personal take on classical and traditional music.

It is performed by one of the most committed, virtuosic and passionate musicians in the Zorn universe: Brian Marsella, whose educational background – too jazz for the classical world and too classical for the jazz world – makes him the perfect pianist for Zorn’s musical poetics.

The classical format of piano, bass and drums is completed by Jorge Roeder and Ches Smith. A concert that is sure to be beautiful and moving.