John Zorn Resource

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!

Zorn and Laswell have been friends and musical compatriots since they first met in 1978, and have been responsible for some of the most intense and memorable music in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Recorded in early 2021, near the end of the year’s pandemic lockdown, it marks the first time Zorn had touched the saxophone in over fifteen months. Laswell had spent most of the year locked in his apartment. Something special was happening that day—and after the session Laswell felt rejuvenated—as if all the toxins and poisons had left his body.

Soulful and essential, The Cleansing is an historic meeting—and the first recorded duo project by these two Downtown magicians.

The long awaited first recording by John Zorn’s newest and most exciting ensemble, the New Masada Quartet.

Performing eight classic compositions from the Masada songbooks, NMQ is a tight unit of like-minded virtuosi and 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.

Beautifully recorded at Bill Laswell’s studio in New Jersey this is an absolute masterpiece. Essential!

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.

Nothing is true—everything is permitted.

Chaos Magick is a contemporary magical practice based on the ideas of Austin Osman Spare.
  Remarkably inclusive, it embraces and has influenced the work of William Burroughs, Robert Anton Wilson, Aleister Crowley and many others.
 Inspired by these magical practices, Zorn enlists the three members of his most powerful 21st century ensemble Simulacrum with special guest Brian Marsella on electric piano into this eclectic new quartet Chaos Magick.
  A fast moving, improvisational and intensely focused ensemble that draws upon classical, jazz, funk, improvisation, metal and more.
 This music is even crazier than Electric Masada—a must for all fans of the outer realms! 

  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 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 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.