Walker Publishing Filed to Performing Arts · Part of 70 Wishes to Zorn at 70

John Zorn sound check at Jazz Fest Sarajevo 2018. Photo: Armin Smailović/Jazz Fest Sarajevo.

When we once again asked an array of artists, writers, and musicians to share their reflections and birthday wishes on the occasion of John Zorn’s 70th birthday, a myriad of responses came flooding in that used various approaches to capture the essence of this vanguard music-maker. A celebrated improviser, experimenter, and genre-jumping producer, he’s become an icon of the New York downtown jazz and new music scenes, both for his own music and for the culture he’s helped foster through his label Tzadik, his venue, the Stone, and his Arcana series of music books. But as a mentor and friend, he’s welcomed new voices into his musical and spiritual communities, both in the US and overseas. To celebrate Zorn’s seventh decade, we present a three-part series in which we collect unfiltered well-wishes from over 70 collaborators, colleagues, and friends—from Ohad Naharin and drummer, percussionist, and composer Ches Smith to Jim O’Rourke—who weigh in on the many facets of this versatile artist’s life and work.

Midori

Midori is a violinist, activist and educator who explores and builds connections between music and the human experience

Ohad Naharian

A few years ago, I had written John a letter expressing my desire to meet him. This is an excerpt from my letter to him:

“…Already in the late 80’s while I was living in New York I tried to contact you, yet, you were in Japan at that time. I’ve loved your music from the 1st time I have heard it in the early 80’s on John Schaefer’s radio series “New Sounds” (WNYC Radio). I was immediately caught by its originality, structure, virtuosity, self-humor, sense of timing and explosiveness. Your groove, freedom, the rare coherency and tightness of the group playing together, lack of trendiness and free of particular style, spoke to me and attracted me. I love your ability to remain minimalist while creating over the top moments, and love your ongoing research, gathering and collaborating with great musicians. Since then I practically purchased every track I could get, in any format- vinyl, then discs, and now online… You have been, and still are, a great inspiration…”

This letter was followed by many written exchanges and meetings and the more I got to know John, the more I recognize what a unique, kind, and wise person he is. Today I feel great privilege to call John a friend that I love very much.

Ohad Naharin is an Israeli choreographer and creator of a dance language called Gaga

Aya Nishina

Happy Birthday, dearest John – the blue-eyed guardian owl of the divine forest spirit. Through your majestic wings, you are the air of the guiding light – free and expanding – ever breathing, intuitive, resilient, honest, and nurturing. Thank you so much for being born, and making this world a more amazing place to be with who you are, and your music.

May this 70th milestone continue to empower your magic with strengthened health, joy, and beauty.

May it be the blossoming blueprint of your dreams, all the unconditional love, and abundant harvest of unwavering dedication you share with the universe.

Aya Nishina is a composer

Larry Ochs

Yo Zorn, Happy 70th man. I would guess that, by the time you read this, we will have hung out a bit in San Francisco on your actual birthday. Really looking forward to hearing the classics again out here - Cobra and (the new) Masada - as well as other projects that I’ve only heard on CD. And great to see you in NY this past week, for the first time since Covid hit.

First met JZ in 1975 at a Eugene Chadbourne concert that took place at Sam Rivers’ Studio Rivbea. I don’t exactly remember how we got to talking, but it was only a few days before I walked east from my sister’s studio on Broadway into the scary lower East Side to his then tiny apartment and was introduced by John to his already excellent record collection and then to one of his greatest and perhaps least seen projects: “The Theater of Musical Optics.” At that point, we were down. Been in serious communication ever since.  I have occasionally been uncomfortable with some of his chosen directions, as he well knows, because our conversations are wide open. But John has always proven me dead wrong if I questioned any of his many, many artistic or strategic moves.  As a result, I’ve also spent alot of time (enthusiastically) defending him to others. Without question, this guy has done as much for our fragile music scene as anyone else you might think of. Now that we’re in our seventies, John, all I can say is Keep on Keepin’ On. Very West Coast way of saying “Love to you.”

Larry Ochs improvises on saxophones, believes first and foremost in collective music making, and knows the value of musical diplomacy

Arturo O’Farrill

Dear John,

Happy Birthday!!!  I love playing in the sandbox with you!!!

love, Arturo

The bear’s name is Mexican Adam.

Arturo O’Farrill, pianist, composer, and educator, was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City

Jim O’Rourke

My first meeting with John Zorn was a surprise, bizarre, and would forever change my life that I am

grateful for to this day. 1994, Tokyo, I am playing a show with a Japanese noise rock guitarist who had started to have an interest in improvising with others, and we were on stage playing a guitar duo. At that time, I played the guitar flat on it’s back and it was laid on the stage with me hunched over it. There was a point where I felt my playing partner (who I am not naming for that will soon be apparent) was doing something really great, and I faded out to give him some room. I sat there eyes closed listening when it all of a sudden stopped cold. I looked up and he was glaring at me and screamed “Why are you not playing with me?” I didn’t want to debate the nuances of improvising, but probably just made a face like “what?” and he lifted his guitar and threw it to the stage, with a shortcut to my head. Absolute chaos erupted, he ran out the front and I staggered off stage and wandered to the back and was met face to face with John Zorn, sitting on the steps. He invited me to sit down, remarking on the bummer of a situation. He had heard of me through Derek Bailey, and not only was kind enough to come check out some stupid kid sticking alligator clips on his guitar, but asked what else I was doing, and also asked me to send a cassette when I got home. A few months later after sending him what I was working on, he gave me a call. He was starting a new label outside of Avant, and as he was explaining this to me, my mother came home from the shops. I said “Hi, Mom.” John replied “Ah, that’s nice, your mom is visiting?” “Ah, no, I still live at home.” “What? You gotta get out of there man!” Long story short, that tape I sent became Terminal Pharmacy for Tzadik, and he sent me an advance check within a week, enough money that I finally moved out of my parents and into my first apartment, and he’d written on the memo line on the check: Get Out of There!

Thank you again Mr. Zorn, I thank you every day both personally and by trying to work hard and have a standard as high as possible.

Jim O’Rourke has done various things for the past 40 or so years

Miles Okazaki

You know how they say that the universe is not only expanding but also that this expansion is accelerating? This seems to be something like the force of nature that is Zorn. As he gets older, he somehow moves faster and in more directions. We will never catch him - the best bet is to grab a handhold and enjoy getting caught up in the momentum of his creative world.

Miles Okazaki is a guitarist in NYC

Evan Parker

Dear John, I was one of those privileged to attend your original Musical Optics performance back then.

I will never forget the experience. Each show was for an audience of three with you at the fourth side

of a low table. The main lights in the room went out and you performed a sequence of small-scale object manipulations using hand-held lights which went on and off under your control. It was proto-cinematic close magic of an impenetrably abstract nature and a wonderful introduction to your work. Since then, you have created an astonishing body of your own work but you have also made time to document the work of so many other artists. You are the tireless Stakhanovite who sets such a pace that the rest of us can only dream of keeping up. You have done so much for so many of us. Thank you. 

Evan Parker is an improvising musician

William Parker

Hello John, Happy 70th. Thank you for your life in music. For going inside and finding and following your creation song. Beautiful, surprising Vibrations of sound and silence. May you continue to create with love and deep concern for many years.

William Parker is an American jazz bassist

Mike Patton

ZORN: I LOVE YOU

Zorn is a mentor, relentless motivator, a beacon to me for how to do it right. Eternal thanks for educating me, teaching me gently on how to be a composer. What else can you elegantly say about someone who has driven and inspired you for the last 30 years? Happy Birthday, maestro and much love.

Mike Patton is an American singer, songwriter, producer, bandleader (Faith No More and many others) 

Lloyd Peterson

What can you say about today’s greatest living composer that has not already been said? Are there even words to describe that which is indescribable? How do you describe an artist who has the rare ability to think from his heart and feel from his brain and compose masterpiece after masterpiece after masterpiece. We are the fortunate ones...

Bach once stated that “the final reason of music should be none else than the glory of God and that which is the recreation of the mind.” Of the latter, he may have very well been speaking about the man known as Zorn. But then again he may have even been predicting his future arrival.

It is my view that John’s compositional genius would have forced the greatest creative minds to completely re-evaluate their own thoughts and beliefs about their own compositional reality. I truly believe this. That's how unique, mystical and powerful the dimension and reality in which John creates. There will never be another John Zorn. That much is certain. And the fact that he is such a beautiful soul with a love so vast and deep may be a little much for many people to comprehend.

John, I am honored to be able to call you a friend. I love you dearly. Happy 70th, my friend. I hope it is a most beautiful one of many more to come... Lloyd

Lloyd Peterson is author of Music and the Creative Spirit (Innovators in Jazz, Improvisation and the Avant Garde)

Sofía Rei

Happy 70th birthday, dear John!

You are one of my favorite humans, a brilliant musician, an inspiring leader, a visionary, a beloved community builder, and an enthusiastic mentor to me and countless others. Some of my most treasured memories are with you and your one-of-a-kind tribe of geniuses. I’m eternally grateful for each of the opportunities you’ve given me these past 15 years. Thank you for Mycale, The Song Project, Keter, Masada, Tzadik, The Stone, and Arcana. Thank you for your friendship and trust. It’s been a privilege to learn from you, your art, your phenomenal discipline, and fearless attitude. Your punk, no-bullshit ethos inspires me every day.

Keep shining, dear John! Here’s to many more years of imaginative, bold, and real music!!! Gracias por todo, querido.

Sofía Rei is a vocalist, composer, producer and NYU professor

Gyan Riley

John, it has been an absolutely wild ride to work with you over the past decade! You continue to challenge me beyond what I thought I could do and push me to find new abilities in myself. Thanks for believing in me always, and for having the vision to connect me with musical kindred spirits. Your music is vivacious, ever-evolving, and so so fun to play! Looking forward to many more years of music making together!

Gyan Riley is a guitarist and composer

Matana Roberts

There is not enough space here to describe how much John’s music and just presence means to me.

He epitomizes what it means to live a robust art life and be a part of a global community while retaining a quality of humility and realness that boggles my mind sometimes. He has made time for me, when he did not have to, and offered words of wisdom and encouragement that have been absolutely priceless to my own arts life existence to date. He has set a bar, looking out for music and musicians, that is as high as the sky is tall, and I just cannot express how vital his vision and steadfastness has been for so many.

His legacy will reign eternal. I feel so blessed to know him.

Happy Birthday John! Keep Shining!

Matana Roberts is a saxophonist, composer, and mixed media visual artist

Sarah Robertson

For almost three decades I have worked with John, helping him achieve his vision for Tzadik by facilitating all the printing and packaging for his extensive catalog of releases, now numbering in the 1000’s.  John’s hands-on approach to creating beautiful artistic physical media continues to challenge and test the printing medium. His creativity drives thoughtful extensions of his music into finished CD, Vinyl, Books and numerous box sets. It has been one of the highlights of my professional career to have worked with him, the early collaboration led to friendship, which has evolved and grown and taken on so many wonderful twists and turns. John, you are my dear friend and I love you very much and wish you only happiness and joy for your 70th birthday.

Sarah Robertson is Founder and CEO, A to Z Media Inc

Jorge Roeder

Here’s to the Maestro, John Zorn, 70 years in, with a lengthy history of groundbreaking and unapologetic Art making. An uncanny ability to machete through a jungle of cultural uncertainty, with a staggering sense of clarity and purpose. A series of musical elements - bar lengths, meters, chord progressions, melodies, etc. - carefully crafted over an undetermined amount of time. Then, on occasion, quickly and efficiently changed once he sees what works and what doesn’t in the studio. Always whatever makes the music best. And live - what a joy! He’s able to create and change music spontaneously with the same instinctive sense of clarity, fueled by his love of Art, music and people. It’s some kind of fascinating alchemy I am happy to witness every time. Happy Birthday Dear John!

Jorge Roeder is a bassist, composer and low-end-counterpoint creator

Gil Roman

Dearest John, I never imagined, as a dancer, that I would meet you one day. As long as I can remember, however, your music has accompanied my steps around the world, this plural music about which so much has been written: the absolute freedom, the extraordinary density, the uncompromising musicality. Your extraordinary journey and tireless curiosity have always fascinated me! And I didn’t know your generosity yet... We met in December 2016 in New York. I had crossed the Atlantic, a huge snowstorm to join you. I remember a small Japanese restaurant Downtown, my silences, your enthusiasm before my desire to create a ballet based on your compositions. Without hesitation, you opened up your entire repertoire to me, even though I still had no precise ideas to present to you: "Go for it ! don't hesitate ! take what you want !...” My ballet "Tous les hommes presque toujours s'imaginent" was born, so to speak, on that day of December in New York, over an assortment of sushi; from an unexpected, disinterested gift, from the trust you offered me... My friend: in the hope of being able to welcome you, I express once again all my gratitude and affection! Happy Birthday to you!

Gil Roman is a dancer and choreographer who has served as the artistic director of Béjart Ballet Lausanne since 2007

Ches Smith

Over the last many years as we’ve worked together John has become a dear friend who pushes me in important ways: to strive to find what hasn’t been heard before (the what the fuck is this?!? moment), to be authentic, and—crucially—to stay connected with friends and family. He’s always checking in with me (and so many others) and encouraging me to do the same. He can sense when certain individuals in our orbit could use a lift, and he reaches out with kind words, an offer to hang out, or even to propose a project. His living example of thoughtfulness and generosity has unquestionably changed me for the better. Happy Birthday, John!

Ches Smith is a drummer, percussionist, and composer living in New York City

David Chaim Smith

Happy Birthday Mr. Z!

You and me, Brooklyn Botanical Garden (2010)

David Chaim Smith is an artist and writer based on Long Island, New York

Tyshawn Sorey

Dearest John - To know you is to love you. I will never forget any of the wild, intense, beautiful, hilarious experiences we’ve had together onstage and in the studio. I treasure the many times we broke new ground together in the several recordings we’ve done of your work and, while doing so, still always asking “what if,” “what next?,” or “let’s try this or that instead.” That notes on a page mean nothing without the individuals you compose these notes for is a mantra that you have held dear to your heart for as long as you’ve lived. I, and those who have learned greatly from you, also stand firmly by that mantra, for it is you who consistently encouraged us to do so without compromise. I remain honored to celebrate you as a prime example of this, and to say that you have been and will always be a very important person in my life. With love, admiration, and deep respect as always.

Tyshawn Sorey is a composer, performer, and bandleader

Jim Staley

John has been a good friend, brother and inspiration to me. I wish him all the best in this new decade and look forward to many more great times.

Much love, Jim

Jim Staley is Artistic Director/President of Roulette Intermedium, Inc

Richard Stoltzman

Playing Anima always makes my heart jump for joy. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I am suddenly Superman knowing John will catch me in the trembling arms of Mika’s marimba and sweetly skipping and tripping along 174 measures later leaving the world happily uplight again.

Thanks John for the lift you bring to all of us with your sprightly seventy-year-old spirit.
Anima is a piece written in 2020 as a gift to Richard and Mika Stoltzman

Richard Stoltzman won’t stop playing the clarinet even at 81

Henry Threadgill

John I wish you a very happy 70th, and many many creative more years.

My name is Henry Threadgill, I make art

Dan Weiss

I’ve been listening to John’s music ever since I was an early teen. Records like Naked City, The Big Gundown, and Masada had a big influence on me. Then I met John in early 2000's and from the day I did he was always so supportive, so kind, so helpful, and so generous. He is someone who has a big heart and is incredibly loyal. John gets things done! He is one of the most efficient people I have ever met in my life. I did a recording last year with Miles Okazaki and Trevor Dunn (John played on a couple tracks) for the Tzadik label. We tracked and mixed the record in about four hours! He doesn't waste time and is a straight shooter. I really look up to him. Happy birthday John. Much much love and respect from your brother Dan Weiss.

Dan Weiss is a drummer, composer, tabla player, and teacher

Kenny Wollesen

Happy Birthday John!

Thanks for all and everything you've given me over the years! Priceless treasures! You are an endless source of inspiration! Thank you thank you thank you! Let’s keep going!

Love you Zorn!

Kenny Wollesen is a drummer and percussionist

Du Yun

I never took lessons from John but I see him as my mentor. He paved ways for someone like me. I was an international college student  when I heard his music. In education, music in the syllables often has this school and that school, up and down, east and west, left and right. In real life, I came to NYC during school breaks. Walking into Tower Records and the Other Music, I listen to their free sample music to not fork out $18.99 that I did not have. Wait, so many stuff this artist put out. Wait, so many different ones. What is this music called? How many subgroups can one do? How many hats can one wear? Well, let’s do them all, all together. And together, once more. Clearly, I need all the albums. Off the headphones, I followed that music from Knitting Factory, to Tonic to Stone, and to the New Stone. John is one of these people who makes New York City a fable, only that movie I also inhabit. John taught me “why can’t I?”.  And John himself, all the while, continues to grow. Happy 70, John. I cannot wait to listen to your next 50 albums!

Du Yun is a composer, performer, and advocator

Daniel Zamir

Daniel Zamir is an Israeli saxophonist and singer

Edin Zubčević

It was the Summer of ’96. The war is over. Sarajevo is not under medieval siege any longer. I was at a new crossroad in life, facing a new dilemma. The war changed not only the way I see the world, but also the world itself. During the siege I tried to find solace in philosophy, but all I found were more questions without answers. I was looking for something beyond questions and answers. Music was a source of comfort in the war and a best friend in times of peace and my thoughts about the future regularly ended in music. I could not imagine myself as a philosophy professor anymore - I simply did not believe in philosophy. All that remained was love without faith in its ability to change the world and the people in it. I did not want to change anyone, I only wished for everyone to experience music and its mending power as I did during the siege. I wished to show everyone the interior of this safe house because music was my safe house during the war and a world in which I do not decide anything and yet everything goes my way.  

That first Summer of freedom came with a gift, Alef by the group known as Masada. I still had my Sony Discman which I used during the siege, with no electricity, water, food… on a daily basis, music on batteries was often the only option; aside from rechargeable batteries, I had a large car battery in my house and always enough power to listen to music for weeks. That world was always there for me, it offered asylum and consolation, sense and a timid hope.

Until that day I had known very little about John Zorn - Naked City, Big Gundown and Spillane. Naked City was a band that escaped classification, similar to the album Spillane, and that would turn out to be a common occurrence in Zorn’s work; Big Gundown proves that even Morricone’s music can be arranged and played in a way that sounds fresh and exciting in spite of the original which we are all used to and the notion that anything deviating from it sounds suspicious - but not Big Gundown. Over time I realized that I am dealing with an opus that was much bigger than one can imagine, diverse and intriguing. It is an immense work with many facets, and it is impossible to encompass and comprehend it from just one angle. Zorn’s opus is akin to a magical garden in which, both sweet and not so sweet, pretty but also strange fruits grow. I bit into the apple without coercion.

Alef opens with Jair like a fanfare announcing an epic journey. I was walking the streets of Sarajevo with still visible and live wounds and scars on the facades. Curfew was still in full force, but power and water supplies were relatively stable and frequent. I knew that I survived the war and the siege, I knew that I was a winner due to the sole fact that I was still alive and since, it seems, there was no one left who wanted to kill me because of my name or “national identity”. But I did not feel free. Nor liberated. The same way it took me time to accept the war as a reality, many days had passed before I accepted peace.

After Jair and the announcement of a journey comes the unannounced Bith Aneth. Pure magic. I was conquered. Run over like a lightly guarded fortress. It was my music. Near and dear as if it was a loved one. I wished to revisit this experience, to repeat it and to hear Bith Aneth one more time, but it was a wonderful day and I did not dare interrupt, or in any way affect what was happening and what was coming. I allowed the concert to proceed on its own accord. I wanted to follow, not to lead or to be followed. For too long have I been part of scouting units, for too long have I led others, and myself, into an unknown and dangerous world in which nothing good could happen, not to them or to me. I was satisfied with being alone on this new adventure and, without deploying a white flag I completely surrendered. Not one part of me offered resistance anymore.

And then - Tzofeh. I do not know why, but I know that Tzofeh solved all my then dilemmas. The heart followed the beat of Joey Baron. Before his solo started, during the final note of Zorn’s solo which lasted many bars, and Douglas’ with the theme variations, I accelerated my pace. A few beats later I ran as if I was part of a charge towards freedom. I stopped with the band. I was standing on a street, out of breath and in the silence of the pause between two songs. With the first notes of Ashnah I sat on a nearby pony wall, dazed, enchanted and still not able to comprehend what had just happened to me. Ashnah assisted in changing the faces of the passersby. As if each note represented one of these disinterested people who defiled next to me. All of them are just satellites, while the center of it all was within me - it all looked like chaos. It was, in actuality, an organized space which only seemed arbitrary and chaotic to the uninitiated. Like Ashnah.

Free at last. Liberated! I knew exactly what I desired and what I no longer desired, I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t. Finally!

Suddenly, I knew quite a bit. I forever abandoned philosophy as a potential profession and resolved to dedicate my life to music. Music as a calling, philosophy as a hobby. Music as a path, philosophy as a detour. Experiencing Masada forced philosophy and music to switch places in my life, confirming the musical experience while under siege.

The Masada Quartet was formed during the siege of Sarajevo. Zorn and the musicians from his community performed concerts in support of Sarajevo. I found out about that many years later. Just as I found out that "Tzofeh" means "Scout". I was pleased by this “cosmic wink” as well and accepted it as an omen and confirmation that I was not on the wrong path.

Next Summer, Sarajevo got its first jazz festival in its history. Soon after, I tried to book Masada for a concert at the festival. It was a naive attempt. I was not ready. It took me almost two decades to present Zorn in Sarajevo, more than enough time for me to become acquainted with his works. We presented fourteen bands, including Masada, which commenced the European premiere of The Bagatelles Marathon. In the following two years we presented the Book of Beriah Marathon (Masada Book Three), as well as the special Book of Angels Marathon (Masada Book Two) including the European premiere of New Masada Quartet, and many more. The three-year multi-event adventure in Sarajevo is veritably the bare minimum amount of effort in the presentation of the composer. Anything less than that would be misleading the audience about the scope of his opus, as well as the composer’s work itself.

I did not know that Alef was the beginning of an unforgettable musical adventure - a never-ending story in which the role of the hero, who saves the world from dystopia, is played by a composer and saxophonist in camo pants with a tzitzit. I knew that music was the best and that it fell from the Heavens because there is nothing quite like it on Earth. I believed, like someone who was cured of an illness, in the healing power of music - it was as real as the Sun in the Sky, as the Moon in the Starry Ocean.

John Zorn was and remained real, real as real can be and a bit more. Someone like Zorn should not exist in a world such as ours, a world which we cannot really be proud of. But he does. Like an everlasting inspiration. If Zorn did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.

Edin Zubčević is a founder and director of Sarajevo Jazz Fest

Join John Zorn in person on September 9, 2023 at the Walker for a 70th birthday celebration with a 12-hour immersive festival featuring 20 key musical collaborators. Taking place across multiple venues—ranging from the Walker galleries, McGuire Theater, and the Basilica of Saint Mary—this one-of-a-kind marathon brings together Zorn and major figures such as guitarists Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, keyboardist John Medeski, the Jack String Quartet, as well as percussionists Ches Smith, Kenny Wollesen, and Sae Hashimoto.