Masada (band)
Encyclopedia
Masada is a musical group with rotating personnel led by American saxophonist and composer John Zorn
since the early 1990s.
Masada is as much a "songbook" as a group, comprising more than 500 relatively brief compositions. Each song is written in accordance with a number of rules, including the maximum number of staves, the modes
or scales
that are used, and the fact that the songs must be playable by any small group of instruments.
Given the historical associations of the project's name (see Masada
), the Hebrew titles of the compositions, and the Jewish imagery on the covers of the associated albums, Zorn was clearly exploring his Jewish roots, stating, "The idea with Masada is to produce a sort of radical Jewish music, a new Jewish music which is not the traditional one in a different arrangement
, but music for the Jews of today. The idea is to put Ornette Coleman
and the Jewish scales together."
), Dave Douglas
(trumpet
), Greg Cohen
(double bass
), and Joey Baron
(drum set). On occasion, different drummers filled in for Baron – most regularly Kenny Wollesen
.
This first edition of Masada had the same instrumental make-up as the pioneering free jazz group led by saxophonist Ornette Coleman
in the late 1950s and early '60s, and earned frequent comparisons to Coleman's music. Masada recorded the music on a series of ten CDs on the Japanese DIW label and a number of live recordings on Zorn's Tzadik label.
By the last few months of 2004, Zorn wrote over 300 new tunes for the Masada songbook. Some of the new tunes were debuted at Tonic in December 2004, as a mini festival. Tzadik has released a series of CDs of these songs played by various ensembles, including the Masada String Trio, Marc Ribot
, Koby Israelite
, Erik Friedlander
and others as the "Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels" collection.
As of early 2007, according to the Tzadik website, "Together for close to fifteen years, John Zorn's Masada Quartet is officially breaking up and will be performing two of their last live concerts ever at Lincoln Center March 9th and 10th on a double bill with Cecil Taylor
's New AHA 3." Nevertheless they were scheduled to perform as the original quartet on a concert in Antwerp in Cultural Center Luchtbal on June 22, 2008 - the bill later changed with the addition of pianist Uri Caine
, who performed with them the entire set, except for one song. Baron, Cohen and Douglas also joined the duo of Mike Patton and John Zorn the evening before, at the same venue, and the quartet also performed one song as an encore.
The quartet performed together at Yoshi's San Francisco jazz club on March 12, 2008. The 8pm show featured music from the original Masada songbook and the 10pm performance featured songs from Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels.
form. Personnel include Mark Feldman
(violin
), Erik Friedlander
(cello
), and Cohen, bass. With the addition of Marc Ribot
(guitar), Cyro Baptista
(percussion) and Joey Baron
(drums), this same group has performed as the "Bar Kokhba Sextet".
The performing style of both groups is characterised by the use of improvisation (sometimes conducted by Zorn himself) and its use of the inflections of Jewish music that are part of the compositional language of Zorn's "Masada" themes.
, the Bar Kokhba
album was released, featuring a cast of regular Zorn collaborators performing Masada material in a variety of different small ensemble configurations.
and noise rock
. The group, which includes Baron, Ribot, Wollesen, and Cyro Baptista, from previous Masada groups, as well as Trevor Dunn
on bass, Jamie Saft
on keyboards and Ikue Mori
on laptop/electronics, continue to take the Masada themes and transform them into something entirely new.
Zorn uses hand signals to conduct the band, allowing for him to make up different arrangements on the spot. During Zorn's 50th Birthday Celebration at Tonic in September 2003, Electric Masada was recorded live. Released in May 2004, 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 4
became the group's first official recording. This was followed by At the Mountains of Madness
recorded in 2004 in Moscow
and Ljubljana
.
, has three guitarists, Bill Frisell
, Marc Ribot
and Tim Sparks
, playing the tunes, mainly acoustically. Volume 2, Voices in the Wilderness
, has a huge range of groups and individuals playing and Volume 3, The Unknown Masada
, has yet more new groups, together with some familiar faces playing Masada tunes never before performed in public. A fourth volume, Masada Recital
, performed by Sylvie Courvoisier
on piano and Mark Feldman
on violin, followed in 2004. The fifth and final volume Masada Rock
features the band Rashanim and was released in August 2005.
, Masada String Trio, Mark Feldman
and Sylvie Courvoisier
, Koby Israelite
, The Cracow Klezmer Band
, Uri Caine
, Marc Ribot
, Erik Friedlander
, the Secret Chiefs 3
the Bar Kokhba Sextet and Medeski Martin & Wood
.
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
since the early 1990s.
Masada is as much a "songbook" as a group, comprising more than 500 relatively brief compositions. Each song is written in accordance with a number of rules, including the maximum number of staves, the modes
Musical mode
In the theory of Western music since the ninth century, mode generally refers to a type of scale. This usage, still the most common in recent years, reflects a tradition dating to the middle ages, itself inspired by the theory of ancient Greek music.The word encompasses several additional...
or scales
Musical scale
In music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
that are used, and the fact that the songs must be playable by any small group of instruments.
Given the historical associations of the project's name (see Masada
Masada
Masada is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel, on top of an isolated rock plateau, or horst, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada is best known for the violence that occurred there in the first century CE...
), the Hebrew titles of the compositions, and the Jewish imagery on the covers of the associated albums, Zorn was clearly exploring his Jewish roots, stating, "The idea with Masada is to produce a sort of radical Jewish music, a new Jewish music which is not the traditional one in a different arrangement
Orchestration
Orchestration is the study or practice of writing music for an orchestra or of adapting for orchestra music composed for another medium...
, but music for the Jews of today. The idea is to put Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
and the Jewish scales together."
History
Zorn formed the group Masada in order to record and perform this set of tunes. The first group to use the Masada name was Zorn (alto saxophoneAlto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
), Dave Douglas
Dave Douglas (trumpeter)
Dave Douglas is an American jazz trumpeter and composer whose music derives from many non-jazz musical styles, including classical music, folk music from European countries and Klezmer. He has been a member of the experimental big band Orange Then Blue...
(trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
), Greg Cohen
Greg Cohen
A native of Los Angeles, bassist Greg Cohen has been playing in various acclaimed music groups since the '60s. He is perhaps best known for his work with John Zorn's Masada quartet; more recently he has been touring with Ornette Coleman, and performed on Coleman's much-praised Sound Grammar...
(double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
), and Joey Baron
Joey Baron
Joey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn...
(drum set). On occasion, different drummers filled in for Baron – most regularly Kenny Wollesen
Kenny Wollesen
Kenny Wollesen is an American drummer and percussionist.Wollesen lives in New York City. He has recorded and toured with many musicians including Tom Waits, Sean Lennon, Ron Sexsmith, Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, Steven Bernstein and John Zorn. He is a founding member of the New Klezmer Trio and a...
.
This first edition of Masada had the same instrumental make-up as the pioneering free jazz group led by saxophonist Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
in the late 1950s and early '60s, and earned frequent comparisons to Coleman's music. Masada recorded the music on a series of ten CDs on the Japanese DIW label and a number of live recordings on Zorn's Tzadik label.
By the last few months of 2004, Zorn wrote over 300 new tunes for the Masada songbook. Some of the new tunes were debuted at Tonic in December 2004, as a mini festival. Tzadik has released a series of CDs of these songs played by various ensembles, including the Masada String Trio, Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
, Koby Israelite
Koby Israelite
Koby Israelite is a multi-instrumentalist composer, producer, songwriter and band leader.He released four critically acclaimed albums through John Zorn's Tzadik Records label :* Dance of the Idiots * Mood Swings...
, Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
and others as the "Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels" collection.
As of early 2007, according to the Tzadik website, "Together for close to fifteen years, John Zorn's Masada Quartet is officially breaking up and will be performing two of their last live concerts ever at Lincoln Center March 9th and 10th on a double bill with Cecil Taylor
Cecil Taylor
Cecil Percival Taylor is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and...
's New AHA 3." Nevertheless they were scheduled to perform as the original quartet on a concert in Antwerp in Cultural Center Luchtbal on June 22, 2008 - the bill later changed with the addition of pianist Uri Caine
Uri Caine
Uri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
, who performed with them the entire set, except for one song. Baron, Cohen and Douglas also joined the duo of Mike Patton and John Zorn the evening before, at the same venue, and the quartet also performed one song as an encore.
The quartet performed together at Yoshi's San Francisco jazz club on March 12, 2008. The 8pm show featured music from the original Masada songbook and the 10pm performance featured songs from Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels.
Related projects
Since the middle '90s a number of new projects have arisen under the Masada banner.Masada String Trio
The Masada String Trio performs selections from the Masada songbook in a classical-cum-chamber jazzChamber jazz
Chamber jazz is a genre of jazz based around small, acoustic-based ensembles where group interplay is important. It is influenced aesthetically by musical neoclassicism and is often influenced by classical forms of non-Western music. That stated in many cases the influence is traditional Celtic...
form. Personnel include Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman is an American jazz violinist.Feldman worked in Chicago from 1973 to 1980, and in Nashville, Tennessee from 1980 to 1986. He worked in New York City and Western Europe from 1986. Feldman often works with John Zorn, Sylvie Courvoisier, John Abercrombie, The Masada String Trio, Dave...
(violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
), Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
(cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
), and Cohen, bass. With the addition of Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
(guitar), Cyro Baptista
Cyro Baptista
Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian musician, teacher, and recording artist specializing in percussion in the genres of jazz and world music....
(percussion) and Joey Baron
Joey Baron
Joey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn...
(drums), this same group has performed as the "Bar Kokhba Sextet".
The performing style of both groups is characterised by the use of improvisation (sometimes conducted by Zorn himself) and its use of the inflections of Jewish music that are part of the compositional language of Zorn's "Masada" themes.
Bar Kokhba
Two different projects in the Masada family share this name. A decade prior to the creation of the Bar Kokhba SextetBar Kokhba Sextet
Bar Kokhba Sextet brings together six core members of the Masada family under the leadership of John Zorn. The music act is a dynamic powerhouse full of mysticism and intoxicating improvisation from New York's best downtown artists which includes Cyro Baptista on percussion, Marc Ribot on guitar,...
, the Bar Kokhba
Bar Kokhba (album)
Bar Kokhba is a double album by John Zorn, recorded between 1994 and 1996. It features music from Zorn's Masada project, rearranged for small ensembles.-Reception:...
album was released, featuring a cast of regular Zorn collaborators performing Masada material in a variety of different small ensemble configurations.
Electric Masada
One of Zorn's most active Masada project of recent years is Electric Masada. Drawing on Zorn's wide ranging stylistic influences, the band takes the Masada songbook into a whole new direction, reminiscent of jazz fusionJazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
and noise rock
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
. The group, which includes Baron, Ribot, Wollesen, and Cyro Baptista, from previous Masada groups, as well as Trevor Dunn
Trevor Dunn
Trevor Roy Dunn is an American composer, bass guitarist and double bassist.Dunn came to prominence in the 1990s with the experimental band Mr. Bungle. He has since worked in an array of musical styles, notably with singer and Mr...
on bass, Jamie Saft
Jamie Saft
Jamie Saft is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and producer living in upstate NY. Saft was born in Flushing Queens, New York in 1971 and is a graduate of both Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed and recorded with John Zorn,...
on keyboards and Ikue Mori
Ikue Mori
, also known as Ikue Ile, is a drummer, composer, and graphic designer.-Biography:Ikue Mori was born and raised in Japan. She says she had little interest in music before hearing punk rock...
on laptop/electronics, continue to take the Masada themes and transform them into something entirely new.
Zorn uses hand signals to conduct the band, allowing for him to make up different arrangements on the spot. During Zorn's 50th Birthday Celebration at Tonic in September 2003, Electric Masada was recorded live. Released in May 2004, 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 4
50th Birthday Celebration Volume 4
50th Birthday Celebration Volume 4 is a live album by Electric Masada documenting their performance at Tonic in September, 2003 as part of John Zorn's month-long 50th Birthday Celebration.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Cyro Baptista– percussion...
became the group's first official recording. This was followed by At the Mountains of Madness
Electric Masada: At the Mountains of Madness
At the Mountains of Madness is a 2005 double live album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn's Electric Masada featuring performances recorded in Moscow and Ljubljana...
recorded in 2004 in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
.
10th Anniversary
2003 saw the 10th Anniversary of Masada and Tzadik released five new CD sets in commemoration. The first release, Masada GuitarsMasada Guitars
Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 1: Masada Guitars is the first album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project.-History:...
, has three guitarists, Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell
William Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
, Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
and Tim Sparks
Tim Sparks
Tim Sparks is an American acoustic guitar player, singer, arranger and composer.- Biography:Raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he was given his first guitar when a bout of encephalitis kept him out of school for a year...
, playing the tunes, mainly acoustically. Volume 2, Voices in the Wilderness
Voices in the Wilderness
Masada Anniversary Edition Volume 2: Voices in the Wilderness is the second album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project....
, has a huge range of groups and individuals playing and Volume 3, The Unknown Masada
The Unknown Masada
-Track listing:# "Kinyan" - 4:50# "Olamim" - 3:48# "Vehuel" - 5:32# "Shofetim" - 3:02# "Partzuf" - 4:22# "Zarach" - 6:57...
, has yet more new groups, together with some familiar faces playing Masada tunes never before performed in public. A fourth volume, Masada Recital
Masada Recital
Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 4: Masada Recital is the fourth album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project. It features 12 Masada songs performed by Sylvie Courvoisier on piano and Mark Feldman on violin...
, performed by Sylvie Courvoisier
Sylvie Courvoisier
Sylvie Courvoisier is a Swiss composer and pianist.Courvoisier was born and raised in Switzerland. In 1998, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides. She co-leads the Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman Quartet and leads her own quintet, Lonelyville, and the Trio Abaton...
on piano and Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman is an American jazz violinist.Feldman worked in Chicago from 1973 to 1980, and in Nashville, Tennessee from 1980 to 1986. He worked in New York City and Western Europe from 1986. Feldman often works with John Zorn, Sylvie Courvoisier, John Abercrombie, The Masada String Trio, Dave...
on violin, followed in 2004. The fifth and final volume Masada Rock
Masada Rock
Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 5: Masada Rock is the fifth and final album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project...
features the band Rashanim and was released in August 2005.
Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels
From 2003 Zorn has written a range of new Masada compositions which have been released on a series of albums under the banner of Masada Book 2: The Book of Angels. Musicians contributing to the series include Jamie SaftJamie Saft
Jamie Saft is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and producer living in upstate NY. Saft was born in Flushing Queens, New York in 1971 and is a graduate of both Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed and recorded with John Zorn,...
, Masada String Trio, Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman
Mark Feldman is an American jazz violinist.Feldman worked in Chicago from 1973 to 1980, and in Nashville, Tennessee from 1980 to 1986. He worked in New York City and Western Europe from 1986. Feldman often works with John Zorn, Sylvie Courvoisier, John Abercrombie, The Masada String Trio, Dave...
and Sylvie Courvoisier
Sylvie Courvoisier
Sylvie Courvoisier is a Swiss composer and pianist.Courvoisier was born and raised in Switzerland. In 1998, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides. She co-leads the Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman Quartet and leads her own quintet, Lonelyville, and the Trio Abaton...
, Koby Israelite
Koby Israelite
Koby Israelite is a multi-instrumentalist composer, producer, songwriter and band leader.He released four critically acclaimed albums through John Zorn's Tzadik Records label :* Dance of the Idiots * Mood Swings...
, The Cracow Klezmer Band
The Cracow Klezmer Band
The Cracow Klezmer Band was a Polish quartet formed by accordionist and composer Jarosław Bester in 1997. Its sound was different from what most people consider to be klezmer — instead of danceable versions of traditional Yiddish songs, and free-form fantasies and laments, the Cracow Klezmer...
, Uri Caine
Uri Caine
Uri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
, Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
, Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
, the Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
the Bar Kokhba Sextet and Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
.
Masada
- Masada: AlefMasada: AlefMasada: Alef, also known as Masada 1, is a 1994 album by American jazz composer and saxophonist John Zorn featuring the Masada Quartet performing compositions inspired by Zorn's examination of Jewish culture...
(1994; DIW) - Masada: BeitMasada: BeitMasada: Beit, also known as Masada 2, is a 1995 album by American jazz composer and saxophonist John Zorn. It is the second album of Masada recordings.-Reception:...
(1994; DIW) - Masada: GimelMasada: GimelMasada: Gimel, also known as Masada 3, is a 1995 album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn released on the Japanese DIW label....
(1994; DIW) - Masada: DaletMasada: DaletMasada: Dalet, also known as Masada 4, is a 1995 album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn. It is the fourth album of Masada recordings. The original pressing of this album was never available for retail sale as it was given away by DIW in exchange of the proof of buying the first three...
(1994; DIW) - Bar KokhbaBar Kokhba (album)Bar Kokhba is a double album by John Zorn, recorded between 1994 and 1996. It features music from Zorn's Masada project, rearranged for small ensembles.-Reception:...
(1994–96; Tzadik) - Masada: HeiMasada: HeiMasada: Hei, also known as Masada 5, is a 1995 album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn. It is the fifth album of Masada recordings.-Reception:...
(1995; DIW) - Masada: VavMasada: Vav-Track listing:#"Debir" – 8:02#"Shebuah" – 8:09#"Mikreh" – 3:57#"Tiferet" – 4:05#"Nevalah" – 2:10#"Miktav" – 9:40#"Nashon" – 8:37#"Avelut" – 7:31#"Beer Sheba" – 8:50...
(1995; DIW) - Masada: ZayinMasada: Zayin-Track listing:# "Shevet" – 7:58# "Hath-Arob" – 3:24# "Mahshav" – 6:16# "Shamor" – 5:09# "Bacharach" – 1:24# "Otoit" – 3:27# "Nevuah" – 8:22# "Kedem" – 9:55# "Zemer" – 2:14# "Evel" – 5:35# "Tekufah" – 6:59...
(1996; DIW) - Masada: HetMasada: HetMasada: Het, also known as Masaday 8, is a 1997 album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn released on the Japanese DIW label...
(1996; DIW) - Masada: TetMasada: Tet- Track listing :# "Chayah" – 9:33# "Karet" – 1:56# "Moshav" – 6:50# "Leshem" – 4:36# "Kochot" – 5:15# "Meholalot" – 8:50# "Kedushah" – 6:18# "Ner Tamid" – 4:07# "Acharei Mot" – 9:04# "Jachin" – 5:37* Recorded at Avatar, New York City on April 21, 1997...
(1997; DIW) - Masada: YodMasada: YodMasada: Yod, also known as Masada 10, is a 1998 album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn released on the Japanese DIW label. It is the tenth album of Masada recordings.-Reception:...
(1997; DIW) - First Live 1993First Live 1993First Live 1993 is a live album by John Zorn's Masada documenting their premier live appearance at the Knitting Factory in September, 1993.-Reception:...
(2002; Tzadik) - Masada Live, NYC, 1994Masada Live, NYC, 1994Masada Live, NYC, 1994 is a live album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn, namely his Masada project, featuringKenny Wollesen on drums instead of Joey Baron.It was released on Jazz Door in 1995...
(1995; Jazz Door) - Live in Jerusalem 1994Live in Jerusalem 1994- Track listing :* Disc one# "Piram" - 9:52# "Bith Aneth" - 11:57# "Lachish" - 3:35# "Peliyot" - 7:11# "Hadasha" - 10:53# "Ravayah" - 3:35# "Zebdi" - 1:53# "Tirzah" - 8:07# "Hekhal" - 3:31* Disc two# "Kanah" - 6:12# "Shilhim" - 2:39...
(1997; Tzadik) - Live in Taipei 1995Live in Taipei 1995Live in Taipei is a double live album by John Zorn's Masada recorded at the Crown Theatre in Taiwan's capital city Taipei.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Joclyn Layne awarded the album 3½ stars stating "With so many exceptional recordings available of the Masada quartet, this one may be...
(1997; Tzadik) - The Circle MakerThe Circle MakerThe Circle Maker is a double album by John Zorn featuring Zorn's Masada compositions performed by the Masada String Trio and the Bar Kokhba Sextet .- Track listing :* Disc One: Issachar...
(1998; Tzadik) - Live in Middleheim 1999Live in Middleheim 1999-Track listing:# "Nevuah" – 9:48# "Sippur" – 3:20# "Hath-Arob" – 5:20# "Kedushah" – 6:53# "Ne’eman" – 13:05# "Karet" – 2:03# "Kochot" – 4:57# "Piram" – 12:13# "Paran" – 6:00# "Ashnah" – 7:19# "Tahah" – 7:26*Recorded live in Antwerp on August 15, 1999...
(1999; Tzadik) - Live in Sevilla 2000Live in Sevilla 2000-Track listing:# "Ne’eman" – 13:00# "Katzatz" – 5:09# "Hadasha" – 11:11# "Beeroth" – 7:30# "Yoreh" – 10:09# "Hazor" – 6:47# "Nashon" – 10:11# "Lakom" – 5:24# "Bith Aneth" – 9:35*Recorded live in Seville, Spain on July 25, 2000-Personnel:...
(2000; Tzadik) - Live at Tonic 2001Live at Tonic 2001- Track listing :* Disc one# "Intro" - 1:23# "Karaim" - 17:50# "Ner Tamid" - 5:07# "Acharei Mot" - 11:07# "Kisofim" - 7:12# "Jachin" - 6:30# "Malkhut" - 4:52# "Nashim" - 6:38* Disc two# "Intro" - 0:30# "Lilin" - 14:43# "Khebar" - 5:59...
(2001; Tzadik) - 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 750th Birthday Celebration Volume 7- Track listing :*Recorded at Tonic in New York City in September 2003- Personnel :* John Zorn– saxophone* Dave Douglas– trumpet* Greg Cohen– bass* Joey Baron– drums...
: Masada (2004; Tzadik) - Sanhedrin 1994-1997Sanhedrin 1994-1997-Track listing:*Disc One# "Piram" – 6:22# "Lebaoth" – 6:08# "Idalah Abal" – 7:38# "Midbar" – 5:06# "Zelah" – 4:27# "Katzatz" – 2:20# "Abidan" – 6:53# "Hekhal" – 3:07# "Tannaim" – 8:34# "Nefesh" – 5:40# "Neshamah" – 7:15# "Lakom" – 3:46...
(Unreleased Studio Recordings) (2005; Tzadik)
Masada String Trio
- John Zorn, Bar KokhbaBar Kokhba (album)Bar Kokhba is a double album by John Zorn, recorded between 1994 and 1996. It features music from Zorn's Masada project, rearranged for small ensembles.-Reception:...
, 1996 - John Zorn, The Circle MakerThe Circle MakerThe Circle Maker is a double album by John Zorn featuring Zorn's Masada compositions performed by the Masada String Trio and the Bar Kokhba Sextet .- Track listing :* Disc One: Issachar...
, Disc 1 ("Issachar"), 1998 - John Zorn, Filmworks XI: Secret LivesFilmworks XI: Secret Lives-Track listing:# "Yesoma" - 3:07# "Shabbes Noir" - 3:37# "Tension" - 0:56# "Hatzalah" - 4:44# "Brachas" - 3:16# "Chazal" - 1:03# "Ba'adinot" - 1:22# "Drama" - 3:02# "Yesoma" - 3:26# "Darkly" - 1:40# "Kavana" - 4:01...
, 2002 - Masada String Trio, 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 150th Birthday Celebration Volume 1- Personnel :*Greg Cohen – bass*Mark Feldman – violin*Erik Friedlander – cello*John Zorn – conductor...
, 2004 - Masada String Trio, Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2 is an album by the Masada String Trio performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3½ stars.- Track listing :# "Tufiel" - 6:22...
, 2005 - John Zorn, Filmworks XX: Sholem AleichemFilmworks XX: Sholem Aleichem-Track listing:# "Shalom, Sholem!" - 2:11# "Luminous Visions" - 4:12# "Mamme Loshen" - 3:18# "Beyond the Pale" - 2:25# "Mekubolim" - 4:36# "Portable Homeland" - 4:06# "Wandering Star" - 3:19# "Jewish Revolutionaries" - 4:59# "Shtetls" - 3:02...
, (avec Rob Burger et Carol Emmanuel), 2008 - Masada String Trio, Haborym: Book of Angels Volume 16, 2010
Electric Masada
- 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 450th Birthday Celebration Volume 450th Birthday Celebration Volume 4 is a live album by Electric Masada documenting their performance at Tonic in September, 2003 as part of John Zorn's month-long 50th Birthday Celebration.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Cyro Baptista– percussion...
: Electric Masada (2004; Tzadik) - Electric Masada: At the Mountains of MadnessElectric Masada: At the Mountains of MadnessAt the Mountains of Madness is a 2005 double live album by American composer and saxophonist John Zorn's Electric Masada featuring performances recorded in Moscow and Ljubljana...
(2005; Tzadik)
Other Masada-related Projects
- 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 1150th Birthday Celebration Volume 11-Personnel:*Cyro Baptista – percussion*Joey Baron – drums*Greg Cohen – bass*Erik Friedlander – cello*Marc Ribot – guitar*Mark Feldman – violin*John Zorn – conductor...
: Bar Kokhba SextetBar Kokhba SextetBar Kokhba Sextet brings together six core members of the Masada family under the leadership of John Zorn. The music act is a dynamic powerhouse full of mysticism and intoxicating improvisation from New York's best downtown artists which includes Cyro Baptista on percussion, Marc Ribot on guitar,...
(2005; Tzadik) - Masada Quintet featuring Joe LovanoMasada QuintetThe Masada Quintet is the newest of John Zorn's Masada groups. No official information about this group exists. They have released one album, Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12. The personnel listing on that album states that the quintet consists of Joey Baron on drums, Uri Caine on piano, Greg Cohen...
plays Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12 is an album by the Masada Quintet featuring Joe Lovano performing compositions from John Zorn's Masada Book Two...
(2009; Tzadik)
Anniversary Series
- Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 1: Masada GuitarsMasada GuitarsMasada Anniversary Edition Vol. 1: Masada Guitars is the first album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project.-History:...
(2003; Tzadik) - Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 2: Voices in the WildernessVoices in the WildernessMasada Anniversary Edition Volume 2: Voices in the Wilderness is the second album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project....
(2003; Tzadik) - Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 3: The Unknown MasadaThe Unknown Masada-Track listing:# "Kinyan" - 4:50# "Olamim" - 3:48# "Vehuel" - 5:32# "Shofetim" - 3:02# "Partzuf" - 4:22# "Zarach" - 6:57...
(2003; Tzadik) - Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 4: Masada RecitalMasada RecitalMasada Anniversary Edition Vol. 4: Masada Recital is the fourth album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project. It features 12 Masada songs performed by Sylvie Courvoisier on piano and Mark Feldman on violin...
(2004; Tzadik) - Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 5: Masada RockMasada RockMasada Anniversary Edition Vol. 5: Masada Rock is the fifth and final album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project...
(2005; Tzadik)
Book 2: The Book Of Angels
- The Jamie SaftJamie SaftJamie Saft is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and producer living in upstate NY. Saft was born in Flushing Queens, New York in 1971 and is a graduate of both Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed and recorded with John Zorn,...
Trio plays Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1 is an album by the Jamie Saft Trio performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".- Track listing :# "Shalmiel" - 5:25# "Ygal" - 3:10# "Astaroth" - 6:11# "Ezeqeel" - 4:22...
(2005; Tzadik) - Masada String Trio plays Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2 is an album by the Masada String Trio performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3½ stars.- Track listing :# "Tufiel" - 6:22...
(2005; Tzadik) - Mark FeldmanMark FeldmanMark Feldman is an American jazz violinist.Feldman worked in Chicago from 1973 to 1980, and in Nashville, Tennessee from 1980 to 1986. He worked in New York City and Western Europe from 1986. Feldman often works with John Zorn, Sylvie Courvoisier, John Abercrombie, The Masada String Trio, Dave...
and Sylvie CourvoisierSylvie CourvoisierSylvie Courvoisier is a Swiss composer and pianist.Courvoisier was born and raised in Switzerland. In 1998, she moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides. She co-leads the Sylvie Courvoisier/Mark Feldman Quartet and leads her own quintet, Lonelyville, and the Trio Abaton...
play Malphas: Book of Angels Volume 3Malphas: Book of Angels Volume 3Malphas: Book of Angels Volume 3 is an album by Sylvie Courvoisier and Mark Feldman performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".-Reception:...
(2006; Tzadik) - Koby IsraeliteKoby IsraeliteKoby Israelite is a multi-instrumentalist composer, producer, songwriter and band leader.He released four critically acclaimed albums through John Zorn's Tzadik Records label :* Dance of the Idiots * Mood Swings...
plays Orobas: Book of Angels Volume 4Orobas: Book of Angels Volume 4-Track listing:# "Rampel" - 6:31# "Zafiel" - 4:40# "Ezgadi" - 5:16# "Nisroc" - 4:56# "Negef" - 5:54# "Khabiel" - 6:28# "Chayo" - 6:27# "Rachmiel" - 8:08*Recorded in London, UK in November-December 2005-Personnel:...
(2006; Tzadik) - The Cracow Klezmer BandThe Cracow Klezmer BandThe Cracow Klezmer Band was a Polish quartet formed by accordionist and composer Jarosław Bester in 1997. Its sound was different from what most people consider to be klezmer — instead of danceable versions of traditional Yiddish songs, and free-form fantasies and laments, the Cracow Klezmer...
plays Balan: Book of Angels Volume 5Balan: Book of Angels Volume 5- Track listing :# "Zuriel" - 4:18# "Suria" - 7:56# "Lirael" - 6:07# "Kadosh" - 2:43# "Haniel" - 5:02# "Jehoel" - 5:17# "Asbeel" - 5:05# "Aniel" - 3:48*Recorded at Studio 2002 in Krakow on February 13 and March 1, 2006- Personnel :* Jaroslaw Bester – bayan...
(2006; Tzadik) - Uri CaineUri CaineUri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
plays Moloch: Book of Angels Volume 6Moloch: Book of Angels Volume 6- Track listing :# Rimmon - 4:45# Lomiel - 3:56# Kebriel - 4:32# Savliel - 2:25# Tufrial - 4:04# Jerazol - 3:41# Harshiel - 3:34# Lumah - 3:14# Harviel - 5:01# Segef - 1:59# Sabriel - 4:59# Shokad - 2:56# Zophiel - 5:01# Hayyoth - 2:31# Nuriel - 5:51...
(2006; Tzadik) - Marc RibotMarc RibotMarc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
plays Asmodeus: Book of Angels Volume 7Asmodeus: Book of Angels Volume 7Asmodeus: Book of Angels Volume 7 is an album by Marc Ribot performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, The Book of Angels.-Track listing:All compositions are by John Zorn.# "Kalmiya" – 4:41# "Yezriel" – 7:26# "Kezef" – 2:32...
(2007; Tzadik) - Erik FriedlanderErik FriedlanderErik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
plays Volac: Book of Angels Volume 8Volac: Book of Angels Volume 8Volac: Book of Angels Volume 8 is an album by Erik Friedlander performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".-Track listing:# Harhazial - 4:36# Rachsiel - 2:39# Zumiel - 1:40...
(2007; Tzadik) - Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
plays Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9-External links:*[ Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9] at Allmusic...
(2008; Tzadik) - Bar KokhbaBar Kokhba SextetBar Kokhba Sextet brings together six core members of the Masada family under the leadership of John Zorn. The music act is a dynamic powerhouse full of mysticism and intoxicating improvisation from New York's best downtown artists which includes Cyro Baptista on percussion, Marc Ribot on guitar,...
plays Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10-Track listing:# Sother - 5:58# Dalquiel - 6:07# Zazel - 3:22# Gediel - 6:12# Rahal - 3:49# Zechriel - 7:54# Azbugah - 3:02# Mehalalel - 9:53# Quelamia - 4:59# Abdiel - 3:24-Personnel:*Cyro Baptista – percussion*Joey Baron – drums*Greg Cohen – bass...
(2008; Tzadik) - Medeski Martin & WoodMedeski Martin & WoodMedeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
plays Zaebos: Book of Angels Volume 11 (2008; Tzadik) - Masada Quintet featuring Joe LovanoMasada QuintetThe Masada Quintet is the newest of John Zorn's Masada groups. No official information about this group exists. They have released one album, Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12. The personnel listing on that album states that the quintet consists of Joey Baron on drums, Uri Caine on piano, Greg Cohen...
plays Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12Stolas: Book of Angels Volume 12 is an album by the Masada Quintet featuring Joe Lovano performing compositions from John Zorn's Masada Book Two...
(2009; Tzadik) - Mycale sings Mycale: Book of Angels Volume 13 (2010; Tzadik)
- The DreamersThe DreamersThe Dreamers is a 2003 French/British/Italian drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. The screenplay is by Gilbert Adair, based on his own novel The Holy Innocents...
play Ipos: Book of Angels Volume 14 (2010; Tzadik) - The Ben Goldberg Quartet plays Baal: Book of Angels Volume 15 (2010; Tzadik)
- Masada String Trio plays Haborym: Book of Angels Volume 16 (2010; Tzadik)
- Banquet of the Spirits plays Caym: Book of Angels Volume 17 (2011; Tzadik)