John Zorn Resource

Composed from 2020 to 2024, Alea Iacta Est (The Die is Cast) is one of Zorn’s most challenging masterworks—a complex and varied piano concerto that runs the gamut of moods, styles, and tempi. 

Performed brilliantly by four of the most trusted and passionate interpreters of his work—the trio of Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, Ches Smith, with guest star Sae Hashimoto on vibraphone on one track—this stunning new work is an essential piece of the Zorn puzzle. Astonishing!

April 17, 2026

From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. 

Volume 8 presents the long-awaited premiere recording of John Medeski’s psychedelic organ trio. Featuring David Fiuczynski (Screaming Headless Torsos) in a striking Hendrix/Blood Ulmer mood and the powerhouse drummer G. Calvin Weston (Ornette Coleman, Lounge Lizards), the music is fierce, imaginative and endlessly creative. 

Touching on funk, jazz, psychedelic rock, metal and more—this is one of the most intense interpretations of the Bagatelles ever conceived. This music will sear your brain!! Essential.

APRIL 17, 2026

From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. 

Volume 7 is a remarkable solo piano performance by Brian Marsella who has become a lynchpin of Zorn’s crew of musical masters. Blending classical and jazz into an exhilarating and varied suite, Brian presents a group of thirteen Bagatelles as a beautiful set of theme and variations. 

This is piano virtuosity at its finest—a profound exploration into the world of Zorn’s Bagatelles.

March 20, 2026

Bill Frisell, Kenny Wollesen, and Carol Emanuel are The Gnostic Trio and their unique blend of minimalism, early music, and jazz has resulted in some of the loveliest music Zorn has ever created. 

Sing Me Now Asleep is their first CD in over five years and not surprisingly it explores some unexpected new directions — notably two ambient-influenced pieces in the spirit of Zorn’s Absinthe and Redbird, and a dramatic long form composition in the style of his cinematic file card works. 

Enhanced by the moody electronics of Ikue Mori on one hypnotic track, this ninth CD in the legacy of The Gnostic Trio is their most gentle and soothing to date, and heralds a striking new musical direction for this beloved super group.

March 20, 2026

Written in the 1970s, Zorn’s earliest game pieces are legendary (often discussed and workshopped in secret but rarely performed in public) and Curling from 1978 is one of the most elusive and hermetic. Focusing exclusively on long tones, it is quite unusual in Zorn’s canon—meditative, minimalist, and hypnotic. 

Performing here are two ensembles from the Bay Area that have had close ties with Zorn for over forty years and are perfectly suited to execute this challenging and beautiful work. The Rova Sax Quartet and the William Winant Percussion Group are both masters of composition and improvisation and here they take this seductive score to astonishing new heights.

January 23, 2026

From March to May 2015, John Zorn composed 300 new tunes that were eventually collected into a book of music he called The Bagatelles. After five years of performances around the world in venues large and small, the choicest ensembles have gone into the studio and the results are some of the most exciting and varied music Zorn has ever presented. 

Volume 5 features Kris Davis, one of the greatest new voices in piano jazz. Joining her in this dynamic quartet is Mary Halvorson, one of the leaders of contemporary jazz guitar along with the brilliant rhythm section of Drew Gress and Kenny Wollesen. Beautiful arrangements, delicate and thoughtful solos and a stunning lyricism distinguish this fabulous new installment of John Zorn’s Bagatelles.

January 23, 2026

Presented in a lush CD book including dozens of Zorn’s original erotic drawings printed in gold ink on distinctive art paper, this is the definitive presentation of one of Zorn’s most poignant and lush creations—an all-vocal setting of the Bible’s sensual poetry The Song of Solomon. 

Scored for five female voices plus male and female narrators, the ensemble here includes narration by classical superstar Barbara Hannigan and renown French actor/director Mathieu Amalric. Featuring a newly commissioned translation of the Hebrew text by musician/scholar/philosopher/ poet Jeremy Fogel, this unique limited edition CD book is an absolute delight.

Friends and musical cohorts since the early 1980s, these three master improvisers come together to perform a freewheeling set of outrageous and mind-blowing improvisations. 

Recorded at Roulette, founded in 1978 and one of New York’s most adventurous venues, the music is full of surprising twists and jumps from one mood to another with mercurial synchronicity. 

Dedicated to the memory of Downtown theatrical genius Richard Foreman, Alchemical Theatre presents nine pieces of telepathic, counter-intuitive New York improvisation by three legendary figures of the Downtown scene.

Jim Staley
Ikue Mori
John Zorn