On September 26, 2023, the New Masada Quartet, featuring John Zorn on alto saxophone, Julian Lage on guitar, Jorge Roeder on bass, and Kenny Wollesen on drums, delivered a compelling performance at the Village Vanguard. This engagement was part of a series of concerts celebrating Zorn's 70th birthday, with the quartet also scheduled to perform at the Miller Theatre on October 19, 2023. (millertheatre.com)
The quartet's setlist included compositions from their latest album, New Masada Quartet, Volume Two, released in January 2023. The album continues the group's exploration of creative jazz with Middle Eastern influences, featuring intricate interplay between Lage's guitar and Zorn's saxophone. (avantmusicnews.com)
This performance marked a significant collaboration between Zorn and Lage, who had previously worked together on Zorn's Masada Book III: Keter in 2023. (event.newschool.edu) The Village Vanguard, a venue Zorn has frequented, provided an intimate setting that highlighted the quartet's dynamic chemistry and the depth of their musical dialogue.
