John Zorn

John Zorn cannot be simply labeled as a "jazz" musician because his music extends far beyond that genre. Although jazz influences are evident in many of his compositions and improvisation plays a pivotal role in his work, Zorn does not limit himself to any particular style or cultural tradition. His vast musical palette is evident in pieces like Spillane, which showcases a disparate range of styles that require listeners to constantly changing stations on a radio. Zorn believes that the era of the individual composer creating a unique sound has passed, and his work reflects this paradigm shift through numerous collaborations and explorations of past styles and genres. In many ways, Zorn's music pays homage to his inspirations, such as Ennio Morricone, Sonny Clark, and Ornette Coleman, but also contains his own unpredictable twist. Zorn started playing Piano at a young age, but eventually took up guitar and flute. During his college years, he was introduced to avant-garde jazz through Anthony Braxton, which propelled him towards a career in free improvisation, rock, and tape music. Though he struggled to gain recognition, Zorn achieved mainstream success with his album "Big Gundown," a collection of Morricone covers. Later in the 80s, he formed "Naked City," a supergroup that merged various musical influences. Zorn also created Masada, a fusion of avant-jazz and traditional Jewish melodies. He also composed numerous classical pieces for various musical ensembles.