News
NOVEMBER 2021 RELEASE ANNOUNCED
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.
October 2021 Release Announced
| 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! |
AUGUST 2021 Release announced
YES THERE IS LIFE AFTER BAPHOMET!
Nostradamus: The Death of Satan, the ninth release by Zorn’s most intense 21st century ensemble, is a triumph.
In this wildly varied program ranging from the softest sacred whisper to the most heretical hysteria, Zorn brings his unique compositional blending of classical, jazz and rock to new heights.
The Simulacrum band is tighter than ever and the recording is richer and more powerful. With a stunning clarity of sound, brilliance of performance and towering compositional vision, Nostradamus is Zorn at his very best. Essential.
JULY 2021 RELEASE announced
| This newest CD of Zorn compositions performed by the remarkable all-star guitar trio of Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Gyan Riley is inspired by the ancient tradition of story telling as spiritual lesson. Drawing upon Sufic, Hebrew and secular traditions, Parables is a unique collection of compositional miniatures blending folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass, world music and more. Featuring seductive moods, driving rhythms and thought provoking twists and turns, this is a charming and adventurous pro-gram of music performed by three of the most distinctive guitarists around. |
April 2021 Release Announced
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!
March 2021 Release Announced
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.
February 2021 Release Announced
(Feb 19)
Heaven and Earth Magick showcases Zorn's fabulous and compelling blending of Classical virtuosic instrumental writing with the improvisational world of Jazz.
Completely notated works for piano and vibraphone brilliantly performed by Steve Gosling and Sae Hashimoto are set against a dynamic improvisational rhythm section of Jorge Roeder and Ches Smith.
An exciting new musical world filled with an exhilarating sense of drama and a mischievous wit. Zorn's unique mastery of instrumental writing and wild improvisational conducting skills are here in all their thorny complexity. Essential!
January 2021 Release Announced
(Jan 29)
A sublime and transcendent memorial to one of Zorn’s earliest mentors—Ennio Morricone. Featuring the soulful guitar of Bill Frisell set within the magical sonorities of vibraphone, harp and bells the music takes on an epic orchestral sweep with the added presence of special guest keyboard wizard John Medeski on organ and piano.
Filled with beautiful harmonies, a driving rhythmic pulse and stunning lyricism, this is some of the most lush and spiritual music Zorn has ever written.
Truly music of the Angels—intimate chamber music to heal an aching heart performed by one of the world's most ethereal ensembles. (#8377)
January Release announced
(Jan 29)
Now available in a limited vinyl edition of 1000 copies, singer Petra Haden excels in this beautiful and unique program of songs penned by the songwriting team of Zorn and Harris.
Friends for many years, they began working together on The Song Project in 2012, and eight years later this LP presents the full fruits of their collaboration: thirteen Zorn compositions with original lyrics by Jesse Harris.
Including selections from a wide variety of Zorn projects (and one original that has never appeared before), the melodies are catchy, the lyrics heartfelt, the grooves deep and the solos profound and exhilarating. Backed by the amazing Julian Lage, Jorge Roeder and Kenny Wollesen and produced by Jesse Harris, this is a LP that you will listen to again and again. (#6011)