PARRHESIASTES

"Parrhesiastes," the latest offering from avant-garde maestro John Zorn, is a captivating journey into the depths of experimental and free jazz. Released on November 17, 2023, via Tzadik, this 35-minute album is a testament to Zorn's kaleidoscopic compositional vision, featuring four of the most accomplished performers in his inner circle. The ensemble, which includes Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, and Gyan Riley, delivers a performance that is both intimate and ethereal, showcasing Zorn's unique ability to blend lyrical beauty with avant-garde innovation.

Recorded at National Sawdust in September 2023 as part of the Zorn@70 NYC concert series, "Parrhesiastes" is a document of a live performance that is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. The album's three tracks—"In the Footsteps of Hermes," "The Evental Devalorization of the Perhaps," and "Form, Object, and Desire"—each offer a unique exploration of sound and composition, pushing the boundaries of what jazz can be.

With its slip sleeve packaging and limited edition CD with obi-strip, "Parrhesiastes" is a collector's item that any fan of experimental music will want to add to their collection. Whether you're a longtime admirer of John Zorn or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to impress with its lyrical beauty and avant-garde innovation.

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.