Zorn with Thurston Moore at The Stone

John Zorn has confirmed many of the musicians who will join him for his annual End of the Year Improv shows at the New York performance space The Stone. Zorn, the venue’s founder, will offer two shows a night from December 29-January 3, with a bonus late night set December 31 and an extra afternoon show on January 3. A number of veteran Downtown New York musicians will participate in the series, including trumpeter Steven Bernstein, guitarist Marc Ribot, longtime Trey Anastasio Band percussionist Cyro Baptista, Yeah Yeah Yeah drummer Brian Chase, guitarist Julian Lage and cello wiz Erik Freidlander.

Zorn’s 10pm shows will each feature the world premiere of one of the bagatelles pieces the noted saxophonist recently composed. According to The Stone’s website, these are the only opportunities to hear these pieces “after the sun has gone down.” (The improvisational compositions have been a fixture at The Stone on Sunday afternoons since July.) These End of End of the Year Improv shows will also benefit the non-profit art space.

Here’s a look at Zorn’s New Year’s week Improv shows

Tuesday, December 29

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT

John Zorn (sax) Joe Morris (guitar) Marc Ribot (guitar) Jeremiah Cymerman (clarinet) Kenny Grohowski (drums) Gyan Riley (guitar) Uri Gurvich (sax)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: MATT HOLLENBERG-NICK MILLEVOI QUARTET

Matt Hollenberg (guitar) Nick Millevoi (guitar) Johnny DeBlase (bass) Kenny Grohowski (drums)

Wednesday, December 30

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT

John Zorn (sax) Mark Helias (bass) Ikue Mori (electronics) Uri Caine (piano) Anthony Coleman (piano) Severine Ballon (cello) Erik Friedlander (cello) Frank London (trumpet)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: GYAN RILEY AND JULIAN LAGE

Julian Lage (guitar) Gyan Riley (guitar)

Thursday, December 31

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT

John Zorn (sax) Cyro Baptista (percussion) Jim Staley (trombone) Ikue Mori (electronics) Okkyung Lee (cello) Chuck Bettis (electronics) Mike Nicolas (cello) Ned Rothenberg (sax) Brian Chase (drums)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: TRIGGER with special guest Marc Ribot

Will Greene (guitar) Simon Hanes (bass) Aaron Edgcomb (drums) Marc Ribot (guitar)

1130pm:

MILFORD GRAVES, MARC RIBOT AND JOHN ZORN NEW YEAR’S TRIO

Milford Graves (drums) Marc Ribot (guitar) John Zorn (sax)

Friday, January 1

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT

John Zorn (sax) Craig Taborn (piano) Ikue Mori (electronics) Billy Martin (drums) Nate Wooley (trumpet) Okkyung Lee (cello) Steve Swell (trombone) Steven Bernstein (trumpet)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: JAMIE SAFT TRIO WITH CHRIS SPEED

Jamie Saft (piano) Brad Jones (bass) Kenny Wollesen (drums) Chris Speed (sax, clarinet)

Saturday, January 2

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT

John Zorn (sax) Tim Keiper (drums) Brian Marsella (keyboards) Ches Smith (drums) Matt Mitchell (piano) Charles Bernstein (poetry) George Lewis (trombone) Tyshawn Sorey (drums) Cyro Baptista (percussion)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: BRIAN MARSELLA SOLO

Brian Marsella (solo piano)

Sunday, January 3

3pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES: SYLVIE COURVOISIER TRIO

Sylvie Courvoisier (piano) Drew Gress (bass) Kenny Wollesen
(drums)

8pm:

JOHN ZORN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT

John Zorn (sax) Ken Vandermark (sax) Sylvie Courvoisier (piano) Clarence Penn (drums) Mark Feldman (violin) Dave Douglas (trumpet) Kenny Wollesen (vibes)

10pm:

JOHN ZORN’S BAGATELLES BY NIGHT: ERIK FRIEDLANDER AND MIKE NICOLAS

Erik Freidlander (cello) Michael Nicolas (cello)