Biography: It is possible to call John Zorn a "jazz" musician, but that would be much too limiting a description. While jazz feeling is present in a good deal of his work, and the idea of improvisation is vitally important to him, Zorn doesn't operate within any idiom's framework, drawing from just about any musical, cultural, or noise source that a fellow who grew up in the TV and LP eras could experience. This eclecticism gone haywire can result in such wildly jump-cutting works as Spillane, whose plethora of diverse and incompatible styles makes for a listening experience akin to constantly punching the station buttons on a car radio. Zorn believes that the age of the composer as an "autonomous musical mind" had come to an end in the late 20th century; hence the collaborative nature of much of his work, both with active musicians and music and styles of the past. Like Mel Brooks, the zany film director, many of Zorn's works are tributes to certain musical touchstones of his -- such as Ennio Morricone, Sonny Clark, and Ornette Coleman -- all filtered through his unpredictable hall of mirrors. While it would be foolhardy to single out a handful of dominant influences, Zorn's music seems very close in spirit to that of Warner Bros. cartoon composer Carl Stalling, both in its transformation of found material and manic, antic moods. This calculating wildman started playing the piano as a child before taking up the guitar and flute at age ten. By the time he was 14, Zorn had discovered contemporary classical music and began composing; his college years in St. Louis brought about his introduction to avant-garde jazz, particularly that of Anthony Braxton. He dropped out of college, settled in lower Manhattan, and began working with free improvisers, rock bands, and tape, sometimes working duck and bird calls into his arsenal. After putting out releases on tiny domestic and poorly distributed import labels, Zorn signed with Elektra-Nonesuch in the mid-'80s, which increased his visibility considerably. Along the way, he has formed tribute bands to play the music of Coleman, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, and others; featured musicians as diverse as Big John Patton, Tim Berne, Bill Frisell, and the Kronos Quartet; and assembled a group called Masada that merges Coleman with Jewish music. Jazz buffs should be directed to his Coleman tribute album Spy vs. Spy (Nonesuch), which makes exciting, thrashing, yet concise hashes of 17 Ornette tunes with a quintet.
allmusic, music reviews, new releases, artists biography It is possible to call John Zorn a "jazz" musician, but that would be much too Get John Zorn biography John Zorn Biography. John Zorn. Artist Main. Pictures. Albums (128) Biography It is possible to call John Zorn a "jazz" musician, but that John Zorn (born September 2, 1953 in Queens, New York) is an American avant In 1992 John Zorn collaborated with the Japanese Disc Union label to curate the A biography and discography of John Zorn, written and compiled by Scott Maykrantz John Zorn is an American composer and saxophone player. Dedicated to the composer/saxophonist. Includes news, general information, commentary, photos, and links.Record label founded by John Zorn in 1995.MySpace music profile for John Zorn with tour dates, songs, videos, pictures, blogs, band information, 1985 - John Zorn : The Big Gundown - 15th John Zorn's Masada, A discography of John Zorn's band, Masada, written and compiled by Scott Maykrantz John Zorn's jazz band John Zorn's Bar Kokhba troops performing GevurahMarc Ribot - guitarCyro Baptista - percussionMark Feldman - violinErik Friedlander - celloGreg Cohen - bassJoAmazon.com: Naked City: Music: John Zorn by John Zorn One of many high peaks in John Zorn's career, "Naked City" (both this album and It is possible to call John Zorn a "jazz" musician, but that would be much too more John Zorn biography > more John Zorn stations > Naked City Features biographical background and discography.John Zorn (born September 2, 1953 in Queens, USA) is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist.John Zorn (born September 2, 1953 in Queens, New York ) is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist.Biography, CD commentary, essays, interviews, linear notes and photographs.John Zorn's label, dedicated to releasing the best in avant-garde and experimental music, and presenting a worldwide community of musician-composers who find it difficult to Can't find what you're looking for? Ask Askville! There's a growing community of people just waiting to answer your question. Give it a try! Amazon.com: Spillane: Music: John Zorn by John Zorn This item is part of our Music Deals Store, where you'll find extra savings on hundreds of CDs across all genres.John Zorn shows and information from JamBase.MySpace music profile for John Zorn with tour dates, songs, videos, pictures, blogs, band information, downloads and moreYahoo! Shopping is the best place to comparison shop for Compare prices for John Zorn - Rock Music. Compare products, compare prices, read reviews and merchant ratings.MySpace music profile for John Zorn with tour dates, songs, videos, pictures, blogs, band information, downloads and more
