JOHN ZORN NEW MASADA QUARTET
Village Vanguard178 7th Avenue South, New York 10014
John Zorn brings the New Masada Quartet to Village Vanguard for a performance of his Masada repertoire. The quartet pairs Zorn on alto saxophone with Julian Lage on guitar, Jorge Roeder on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums. The available booking information names no guest, special occasion or additional theme for the evening.
Formed in 2019, the New Masada Quartet has worked together on material from Zorn’s Masada Songbooks and has made multiple recordings for Tzadik. Masada draws on “the keening Jewish klezmer tradition and the renegade musical language of Ornette Coleman”; Zorn’s own shorthand is “Ornette Coleman with Jewish scales.” WRTI says this edition of the band “best evokes the original spirit of the enterprise.” Roulette calls the four players “like-minded virtuosi,” pointing to “burning solos, harmonious group interaction, heartfelt lyricism, and hypnotic grooves.” All About Jazz likewise hears “burning solos, telepathic group interaction” in the group’s live work.
A narrow basement staircase leads to a triangular room with a red curtain and a stage at the point, where musicians play for a small audience of 123. Tables open like spokes from the stage, and the walls hold portraits of jazz legends. The acoustics are excellent, and the only sound before the music begins is the hum of the room. No food is served, only drinks at a bar. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., with seating beginning at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The atmosphere is focused entirely on the music, with silence requested before the concert begins.