Les Maudits

John Zorn, the prolific and boundary-pushing composer, returns with "Les Maudits," a captivating exploration of French avant-garde culture. Released on July 24, 2020, via Tzadik, this album is a testament to Zorn's versatility and innovative spirit, blending avant-garde, free jazz, and experimental genres into a cohesive and compelling 41-minute journey.

"Les Maudits" presents three dynamic chamber pieces, each inspired by iconic 'cursed' artists of French culture. The album opens with "Ubu," a 20-minute pastiche that seamlessly weaves together a myriad of styles, including heavy rock, free improv, ambient, Western, jazz, and blues. This piece is a tribute to the subversive writer Alfred Jarry and his powerful Pataphysical figure Ubu, capturing the vulgar, rebellious, and revolutionary spirit of the original plays.

The second track, "Baudelaires," is a nod to the works of Charles Baudelaire, including "Paris Spleen," "Flowers of Evil," and "Artificial Paradises." The final piece, "Oviri," completes this trilogy of homage to French avant-garde pioneers.

Recorded and mixed in early 2020 at EastSide Sound in NYC, "Les Maudits" showcases Zorn's mastery of composition and arrangement. Conducted by Zorn himself and David Fulmer, the album features a blend of classical and experimental elements, pushing the boundaries of traditional chamber music.

With "Les Maudits," John Zorn continues to defy categorization, delivering an album that is as intellectually stimulating as it is musically engaging. Whether you're a longtime fan of Zorn's work or a newcomer to his unique brand of experimental music, "Les Maudits" is sure to captivate and inspire.

John Zorn is a boundary-defying American composer, saxophonist, and producer renowned for his eclectic and experimental approach to music. Resisting easy categorization, Zorn's work spans an impressive range of genres, including jazz, rock, classical, metal, and world music, often blending them in unexpected and innovative ways. A prolific artist, he has released a vast discography, including the monumental 11-album box set "The Book Beriah," which features 92 compositions. Zorn is also the founder of the Tzadik record label, a platform for experimental and avant-garde music, and has collaborated with numerous influential musicians. His groundbreaking ensemble Naked City is often cited as a precursor to the jazz-metal fusion genre. Zorn's compositions often incorporate unique structures, such as his celebrated "game" pieces like "Cobra," which guide large, diverse groups of musicians through intricate musical strategies. With a career that has spanned decades, John Zorn continues to be a catalyst for innovation and a major influence in contemporary music.