Tzadik

"There is No More Firmament is a remarkable collection of recent compositions from 2013–2016 that showcase the range, variety and continued creativity of Zorn as he enters his sixties. Connected together with a thread of intensity, magic and madness, the music tells a twisted and complex story of a magical descent into madness. The compositions include two works for brass ensembles, a woodwind quintet, jazz piano trio, string trio and two solo pieces for clarinet and trumpet, with the outrageous trumpet...

“Based in Mexico, Klezmerson is a super creative ever changing ensemble led by violinist, composer and arranger Benjamin Schwartz. Here they do their critically acclaimed and best selling Book of Angels installment one better with wild arrangements blending a variety of Mexican musical traditions with the sound of Masada. Featuring electric and acoustic strings, keyboards, accordions, saxes and of course a huge array of Latin percussion, Tiferet is one of the most delightful and imaginative CDs in the...

“On fire with creativity and burning so brightly that even an uncomprehending world does not deter him, Zorn remains defiant, focused solely on giving expression to the many muses and angels animating his life while harnessing the powers of the chthonic deities buried deep in his subterranean soul. Tractatus brings many of his lifelong interests together into a new musical universe drawing inspiration from philosophy, avant-garde cinema, drama and music.
Drawing inspiration from philosophy, avant...

“A moody and evocative book of spiritual music passionately performed by the remarkable acoustic guitar trio of Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Gyan Riley, whose previous CD for Tzadik Nove Cantici per Francesco d’Assisi was universally acclaimed as one of Zorn’s most beautiful recent projects.
Inspired by anchoress Julian of Norwich, a 14th century abbess and one of the founders of Christian mysticism, Virtue is marked by a stunning, seductive lyricism. Softly mystic music that is perfect for...

As John Zorns most popular project reaches its tenth year, Tzadik celebrates the Masada songbook with a series of all-star tributes. Following Masada Guitars, Volume 2 is an eclectic and powerful collection of almost two dozen Masada classics artfully ...

"Composed in 1999 at the turning of the millennium, Contes de Fées is one of Zorn's classical masterworks. A powerful violin concerto with a virtuosic and lyrical solo part and dramatic, colorful orchestral accompaniment, it receives its best performance to date by the Tanglewood Orchestra under the baton of Ryan McAdams and features the remarkable soloist Stephanie Nussbaum. Also included are two intense pieces of Crowleana, the bizarre and expansive solo piano piece . ? . and the whirlwind...

This exciting release initiates a new series of CDs documenting the best of John Zorn's infamous game pieces. Composed largely between 1977 and 1989, these pieces harness improvisers in complex compositional formats, combining the unpredictable edge of...

Bill Laswell: Bass
John Zorn: Alto Sax

“Towering figures of New York’s Downtown scene, Zorn and Laswell have been working together since the late 1970s. Following up on their acclaimed 2022 duo project “The Cleansing”, this new volume presents musical memorials to three artistic visionaries whose powerful legacies remain touchstones of creativity and artistic integrity. Here the music takes on more of an ambient edge, and is distinguished by telepathic improvisational interplay and a unique..

“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...

"Drawing on his vast experience as viola player of the Arditti Quartet, Ensemble InterContemporain and his close collaboration with many of the today’s leading composers, Garth Knox has become a master of many styles. Presenting a completely new interpretation of the “Book of Angels”, the beautiful medieval-tinged arrangements produced by Garth Knox and his group capture the folk song quality of Zorn’s compositions with a lovely and intimate ensemble of strings and percussion. Playing viola and viola...

"For their fourth release, Zorn’s most intimate and spiritual 21st century ensemble returns with a melodic and open book of tunes reminiscent of the Book of Angels. Drawing inspiration from the Biblical Song of Solomon and originally intended as a...

Petra Haden: Voice
Brian Marsella: Piano
Jorge Roeder: Bass
Ches Smith: Drums

“Petra Haden shines in Love Songs Live—an exciting concert version of the new musical from the songwriting team of John Zorn and Jesse Harris. Presented at National Sawdust in September 2023 as part of the Zorn@70 NYC concert series, the music is beautiful, lyrical, with heartwarming lyrics about a love lost and found.
Accompanied by the soulful trio of Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, and Ches..

Petra Haden: Vocals
Jesse Harris: Acoustic Guitar, Keys, Background Vocals
Kenny Wollesen: Drums
Julian Lage: Guitar
Jorge Roedor: Bass

“Singer Petra Haden excels in this beautiful and unique program of songs penned by the songwriting team of John Zorn and Jesse Harris.
Friends for many years, they began working together on The Song Project in 2012, and eight years later this CD presents the full fruits of their collaboration: thirteen Zorn compositions with...

Petra Haden: Vocals
Jesse Harris: Acoustic Guitar, Keys, Background Vocals
Kenny Wollesen: Drums
Julian Lage: Guitar
Jorge Roedor: Bass

“Singer Petra Haden excels in this beautiful and unique program of songs penned by the songwriting team of John Zorn and Jesse Harris.
Friends for many years, they began working together on The Song Project in 2012, and eight years later this CD presents the full fruits of their collaboration: thirteen Zorn compositions with...

''Released in a limited edition on the Yukon label back in 1984 and out of print for well over a decade, Ganryu Island has been hailed as one of the most successful recorded meetings of 'East And West'. Named after a small island off the coast of Japan...

"Fred Frith and John Zorn have a close working relationship that's has been fruitful since they first met in 1978. Close friends and cohorts, veterans of many ensembles and bands, they are two of the downtown scene’s founding fathers. Sharing a love...

How many times do you get the chance to hear the initial meeting of a legendary band? This CD is just that. A diamond in the rough. The absolutely first time the original quartet Masada (John Zorn, David Douglas, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron) ever played the...

''Every working band has magical nights -- nights when everything fits together and the music takes off into the stratosphere. The 'Masada Live' series documents these unforgettable concerts in venues around the world, bringing these rare special momen...

This release begins a new series from Tzadik documenting the best live performances from John Zorn's one month stand at Tonic in celebration of his 50th birthday during September, 2003. The Masada String Trio features Mark Feldman-violin, Erik Friedlan...

"Richard Foreman is one of the great geniuses of modern theatre, and his dynamic staging of John Zorn's opera Astronome was one of his greatest works. Premiering in February of 2009 at his Ontological-Hysteric Theatre in the East Village, it continued...

"Screeches, Scratches, Knocks, Bangs, Explosions and Howls in the Night! “@” is a fabulous studio recording of two Downtown masters. Both long-time supporters of extreme music and proponents of free improvisation, John and Thurston share a deep musical...

The pioneer creator of the rhythm unit, the master of the game piece and one of the most dynamic drummers in the downtown scene square off head to head in duo and trio improvisations. Two full sets of music are presented here, beginning with a brillian...

One of the most talked about and well attended shows of Zorn's 50th Birthday month was his much anticipated duo concert with Boredoms mastermind, Yamataka Eye. Close friends and musical associates since 1985, their love, respect and telepathic interpla...