"John Zorn (born September 2, 1953) is an American composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, and multi-instrumentalist with hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, and producer across a variety of genres including jazz, rock, hardcore, classical, surf, metal, klezmer, soundtrack, ambient, and improvised music. He incorporates diverse styles in his compositions which he identifies as avant-garde or experimental. Zorn was described by Down Beat as "one of our most important composers".

Zorn established himself within the New York City downtown music movement in the mid-1970s performing with musicians across the sonic spectrum and developing experimental methods of composing new music. After releasing albums on several independent US and European labels, Zorn signed with Elektra Nonesuch and received wide acclaim with the release of The Big Gundown, an album reworking the compositions of Ennio Morricone. He attracted further attention worldwide with the release of Spillane in 1987, and Naked City in 1989. After spending almost a decade travelling between Japan and the US he made New York his permanent base and established his own record label, Tzadik, in the mid-1990s.

Tzadik enabled Zorn to maintain independence from the mainstream music industry and ensured the continued availability of his growing catalog of recordings, allowing him to prolifically record and release new material, issuing several new albums each year, as well as promoting the work of many other musicians. Zorn has led the hardcore bands Naked City and Painkiller, the klezmer/free jazz-influenced quartet Masada, composed over 600 pieces as part of the Masada Songbooks that have been performed by an array of groups, composed concert music for classical ensembles and orchestras, and produced music for opera, sound installations, film and documentary. Zorn has undertaken many tours of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, often performing at festivals with many other musicians and ensembles that perform his diverse output.

Zorn's compositions cross many genres and he has stated "All the various styles are organically connected to one another. I'm an additive person-the entire storehouse of my knowledge informs everything I do. People are so obsessed with the surface that they can't see the connections, but they are there." For Zorn "Composing is more than just imagining music-it's knowing how to communicate it to musicians. And you don't give an improviser music that's completely written out, or ask a classical musician to improvise. I'm interested in speaking to musicians in their own languages, on their own terms, and in bringing out the best in what they do. To challenge them and excite them." "

"Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz (born 1975 in Brooklyn, NY) is an American bassist and oud player who has recorded and performed extensively with Cyro Baptista's Banquet of the Spirits, Daniel Zamir's Satlah, Rashanim, and Pharaoh's Daughter, and John Zorn. Blumenkranz studied at the Manhattan School of Music, the Rimon School of Music in Israel, and holds a B.A. in Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2012 he released the first album under his leadership Abraxas: Book of Angels Volume 19 featuring compositions by John Zorn."

"Yoshie Fruchter is a guitar, bass, oud player and composer whose band, Pitom (Tzadik Records) has received critical acclaim from Jazz Times magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Guitar Player Magazine and many more. The unique blend of rock, jazz, experimental and jewish styles in his playing and composing is a defining characteristic of his music. He has toured the US and Europe with Pitom and other groups, playing the Atlantique Jazz Festival in France, the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival, Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria and others. He recently released an album on the new Jewish record label Blue Thread Music of post-rock arrangements of old cantorial recordings entitled Schizophonia.

Yoshie is also a sought-after freelance musician in New York City in bands ranging in style from acoustic world music to heavy metal and has performed with John Zorn, Cyro Baptista, and Frank London, among many others."

"Trumpeter/composer Frank London is a member of the Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave, has performed with John Zorn, LL Cool J, Mel Torme, Lester Bowieπs Brass Fantasy, LaMonte Young, They Might Be Giants, David Byrne, Jane Siberry, Ben Folds 5, Mark Ribot, Maurice El Medioni and Gal Costa, and is featured on over 100 cds. His own recordings include INVOCATIONS (cantorial music); Frank Londonπs Klezmer Brass Allstarsπ DI SHIKERE KAPELYE and BROTHERHOOD OF BRASS; NIGUNIM and THE ZMIROS PROJECT (Jewish mystical songs, with Klezmatics vocalist Lorin Sklamberg); THE DEBT (film and theater music); THE SHEKHINA BIG BAND; the soundtrack to THE SHVITZ; the soundtrack to Perl Gluck's THE DIVAHN and four releases with the Hasidic New Wave.

His projects include the folk-opera A NIGHT IN THE OLD MARKETPLACE (based on Y.L. Peretz's Bay nakht oyfn altn mark), DAVENEN for Pilobolus and the Klezmatics, Great Small Works' THE MEMOIRS OF GLUCKEL OF HAMELN and Min Tanaka's ROMANCE. He composed music for John Sayles' THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET and MEN WITH GUNS, Yvonne Rainer's MURDER AND MURDER, the Czech-American Marionette Theaterπs GOLEM and Tamar Rogoff's IVYE PROJECT.Live in CrackowPoland, 2001

He was music director for David Byrne and Robert Wilsonπs THE KNEE PLAYS, collaborated with Palestinian violinist Simon Shaheen, taught Jewish music in Canada, Crimea and the Catskills, and produced CD's for Gypsy Ledgend Esma Redzepova, and Algerian Pianist Maurice el Medioni.

He has been featured on HBOπs SEX AND THE CITY, at the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Lincoln Center Summer Festival, and was a co-founder of Les Miserables Brass Band and the Klezmer Conservatory Band."

"Jessica Lurie is an American composer, performance artist and woodwind player, originally hailing from Seattle and now living in Brooklyn, New York.

Lurie first gained notice as a member of The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet, an all-female horn ensemble who released its first album in 1993. In 1995, she also had a first release with the group Living Daylights, which performs jazz-jamband music. She has also performed as the leader of the Jessica Lurie Ensemble since 2002.

Jessica has performed, toured or recorded with international artists such as Bill Frisell, The Indigo Girls, Vinicio Capossela, Marc Ribot, Marty Ehrlich, Wayne Horvitz, Sleater-Kinney, Circus Amok, Les Claypool, Nels Cline, Mike Clark, and Great Small Works, among others.[citation needed] Lurie started her music label Zipa!Music in 2000.

Jessica's touring groups include jazz and alternative music artists. Her current New York line-up features Todd Sickafoose on acoustic bass (best known for his work with Ani DiFranco), Allison Miller on drums (Natalie Merchant) and Erik Deutsch on keyboard.[citation needed] Other regular guests include Scott Amendola (drums, Madeline Peyroux), Jon Evans (bass, Tori Amos), Nels Cline (guitar, Wilco) and Julie Wolf (piano, Ani diFranco) as well as Italian musicians Zeno de Rossi (drums), Danilo Gallo (bass) and Giorgio Pacorig (piano)."

"Guitarist/composer Jon Madof's musical collaborations cover the spectrum of the vibrant New York City music scene, from recordings and sold-out shows with John Zorn and Marc Ribot to genre-busting work alongside Frank London, Matisyahu and others.

With his "Jewish power trio" Rashanim, he has recorded extensively for John Zorn's Tzadik label; Jon performs extensively throughout the US and Europe.Madof was born into a musical household in Philadelphia in 1974.

He started on trombone at a young age before switching to guitar in his teens. A love of classic rock first fueled his passion for music, which gave way to an obsession with jazz when he attended Oberlin College.

After finishing school, he moved back to Philadelphia to study with jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno. There he met bassist Michael Taylor, and the two formed the Taylor/Madof Group, exploring improvised music with roots stretching from funk to the avant-garde.

In 2000, Jon and his wife moved to Brooklyn, where he formed Rashanim and began working with other NYC musicians."

"Brian Marsella is an emerging artist in the improv music community. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brian learned music by ear at age three from listening to his father, an amateur jazz musician, play the saxophone and vibraphone. His first music loves were Tchaikovsky, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Scott Joplin. At five, Brian started to study classical piano and gave his first public performance. Most of Brian's childhood was filled with the struggle of learning music and the exhilaration of performance. At age eleven, Brian had has first professional "gig." Throughout his teen years, Brian performed extensively around the Philadelphia area in a myriad of settings. A friendship at that time with Philadelphia bassist, Lance Walker, whom had worked with Patti LaBelle and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, opened Brian to the world of R&B, blues, funk, and fusion, working with bands The Dukes of Destiny, The Elgins, and countless others. While doing club dates at night and weddings on the weekends, Brian kept up his classical career as well. At fourteen, Brian was the music director, conductor, and harpsichordist for the New Hope Performing Arts Festival's production of Mozart's opera, Bastien and Batienna, which received rave reviews. At sixteen, Brian gave his first full length concert at The James Lorah House, in Doylestown, Pa. The concert included works of D. Scarlatti, Chopin, Brahms and the world premier of Peter Cody's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano. Throughout this time, Brian was studying classical piano with master, David Ancker.

Brian went on to study composition at the Westminster Choir College, and piano performance at The Juilliard School and The Peabody Conservatory, having studied with teachers such as David Dubal and Robert MacDonald. After a year hiatus from music, Brian moved to NYC and received his BFA in jazz performance from the New School Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. There he studied with Richie Beirach, George Garzone, Reggie Workman, Junior Mance, Joanne Brackeen, and LeAnn Ledgerwood.

Since 2000, Brian has been a busy performing and recording artist, playing around the world with some of the world's finest musicians. Brian has been a member of Brazilian percussionist, Cyro Baptista's internationally acclaimed band, Beat the Donkey, since 2004. With Beat the Donkey, Brian has performed throughout the US and Europe, having played Central Park Summer Stage, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Bethel Woods Jazz Festival, and the Planet Arlington World Music Festival. This past year, Cyro and Brian have collaborated in forming the band, Vira Loucos, with bassist, Shanir Blumenkrantz and drummer, Tim Keiper. The group has played Tonic, The Jazz Standard, and MOMA, to frenzied audiences. Their debut album will be out this fall.

Brian is also a founding member of long-time band of friends, Caveman. Caveman has played over 300 shows in the US and Canada, including performances at the 2002 Endless Mountain Music Festival, 2003 New Orleans Jazz Festival, and Camp Bisco VI. Caveman has self-released two albums, 'Before the World' (which features a track with friend, Matisyahu) and 'totem'. Brian has also toured with Tzadik recording artist, Eyal Maoz's, 'Edom'. With Edom, Brian has performed at The New York City Winter Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, and the oy!hoo festival in NYC. The group will be recording a new album for Tzadik this year and will be performing in Russia this fall. Brian's other touring and recording credits include work with artists: Billy Martin, G. Calvin Weston, Marshall Allen, Odean Pope, Dave Fuszinski, Anat Cohen, Byard Lancatser, Jamaladeen Tacuma, Matisyahu, Trevor Dunn, Mary Halvorson, Briggan Kraus, Romero Lubambo, D.J. Logic, Taylor McFerrin, George Garzone, Rick Iannicone, Elliot Levin, Warren Oree, Dennis Irwin, Jason Smart, Edmar Castenada, Stephen Bernstein, Jon Madof, Erik Friedlander, Ches Smith, Baye Kouyate; and groups: Mad Cow, Big Tree, Leana Song, Pharoah's Daughter, UB313, Chris Tunkle Band, Circuit Breaker, Mother of All Bombs, Brentwood Estates, Exoskeleton, and Group Therapy."

"Saxophonist Greg Wall has performed and recorded with Hasidic New Wave, Greg Wall Trio, The Wall/London Band, Neshama Carlebach, the Hi-Tops, Greg Wall's Unity Orchestra, and has made many session appearances for record dates and film scores.

He was the musical voice of James Earl Jones in the recent feature film "On the QT". Writing in Jazz Forum magazine Robert Buczek said, "Wall plays incredibly; his improvisations are well constructed and convincing." The Cleveland Plain Dealer adds, "He plays with a consistent power and imagination." His compositions for dance, jazz orchestra, and electronica have been widely performed and recorded. His critically acclaimed release, "From the Belly of Abraham", with Hasidic New Wave and Senegalese master drummers Yakar Rhythms was named one of the ten best CD's of 2002 by Jazz Times magazine. Greg performs frequently at top venues throughout North America and Europe and has been featured at many major festivals. Greg is equally fluent in the jazz and world music idioms and recently premiered his Unity Orchestra, a pan cultural ensemble featuring 8 musicians from 5 continents.

Greg has collaborated with theCarolyn Dorfman Dance company since 1999, resulting in the commissioned scores for"Meyne Mentchen" (2000-2001), the electronic score, "Echad" (2002) , and the recently premiered "Lovelines" (2003) . His most recent releases include "Later Prophets", Aaron Alexander's "Midrash Mishmosh","From The Belly of Abraham" with Hasidic New Wave together with Senegalese master drummers Yakar Rhythms, "Ani Shelach", with Neshama Carlebach, "Unauthorized', with Dave's True Story, KlezmerFest 's "Party Music", Aaron Alexander's "Blues for Sparky", and the score to "Mayne Mentshen"."

"Yuval Lion has toured and recorded with some of the world's most distinguished rock, pop, r&b and jazz artists including Chrissie Hynde, Suzzane Vega, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Trixie Whitley, Meshell Ndgeocello, Chocolate Genius, Lionel Loueke, Marc Ribot, John Zorn and Moroccan singer Hyndi Zahra. A native of Tel Aviv, Lion has toured and recorded with Israel's top artists including Danny Sanderson, Alon Olearchik, Danny Litany, Eran Tzur, Korin Alal and Bat Sheva Dance Company. He has appeared on numerous prime time television shows backing up Israel's top artists and bands. After receiving a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music he relocated to Boston in 1997. He is currently based in New York City where he is in high demand as a session drummer.

For his solid groove and exceptional tone Lion is sought after by today's leading music producers including VIctor Van Vugt (NIck Cave, Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey Beth Orton), Dave Sitek (TV on The Radio, The Yeah Yeah Yeah's) Hector Castillo ,Bjork, David Bowie), Andres Levine (David Byrne), Gerry Leonard (David Bowie,Suzzane Vega), Thomas Bartlett (Doveman,The National, Trixie Whitley). Lion tours internationally with acclaimed singer/songwriter Martha Wainwright with whom he recently appeared on NBC's Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

He currently plays with uber cool New York based band Cibo Matto, NY guitar trio Big Lazy and David Byrne's New York Public Theather production Joan Of Arc-Into The Fire. In addition to worldwide tours Lion maintains a high profile in New York City's live and studio scene."

"With over 7 million hits on YouTube for his "Subway Sax Battle," Zach has performed with John Zorn, Frank London, Michael Alpert, Joey Weisenberg, and Bobby McFerrin. He performs internationally with Zion80, a 10-piece Jewish Afrobeat band inspired by the music of Shlomo Carlebach, and his folk sextet, Night Tree, has toured internationally and has released two albums produced by Seamus Egan of SOLAS. He has been on the faculty at the Brandeis Institute of Music and Art, Laguardia Arts High School in Manhattan, and teaches at Jewish music festivals worldwide. Zach is the musical director of Kahal B'raira, a humanistic Jewish congregation in Cambridge. He received his Masters of Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston."

"Mauro Refosco is a professional percussionist and noisemaker who performs and records with artists such as David Byrne, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Thom Yorke's Atoms for Peace. After beginning his touring career in 1994 as Byrne's percussionist, he returned to NYC and joined cult creative ensemble The Lounge Lizards, playing experimental punk jazz and more with bandleader John Lurie. In between stints with Byrne and several other in demand projects he formed his band, Forro in the Dark, which has recorded four full-length albums and performed at major domestic and international festivals.

Mauro's studio, SuperLegal (pron. "Super-leh-GOW"), located in Bushwick, Brooklyn houses his vast arsenal of instruments and is fully equipped with the latest versions of Pro Tools, Live, and an array of high-end mics and pre-amps. Artists and producers that have worked at SuperLegal include David Byrne, Bebel Gilberto, They Might Be Giants, Blonde Redhead, Martha Wainwright, Cibo Matto, Madeline Peyroux, Pat Dillet, Mario Caldato Jr, Andres Levin, Kassin, Craig Street and many others.

He has also composed music and soundtracks for movies, television, fashion shows and Off-Broadway plays."

"Marlon Sobol is a professional percussionist and board certified music therapist who has performed extensively throughout the world.

Sobol's musical pedigree runs in the family. His father was a master clarinetist, concert producer, and educator and his mother is a concert pianist, as well as a music teacher for special learners. The younger Sobol has shared the stage with musical legends Richie Havens(Woodstock 1969), David Amram(Manchurian Candidate), and Candido Camero(2008 NEA Jazz Master). Sobol was featured on the Grammy nominated album, "Youth", and has performed at Madison Square Garden and appeared on the Carson Daly Show. He is the percussionist in Afro-Beat Jazz band "Zion 80," whom the NY Times has hailed as a "truly soulful experience!" Sobol just recently toured Europe performing at the Sarajevo Jazz Festival in Bosnia and at "Porgy and Bess" Jazz Club in Vienna, Austria.

His work as both musician and music therapist have been featured in "DRUM!" Magazine; in "Preserving Your Memory" Magazine; in the Journal News, on Armand Dimele's, "The Positive Mind," and NPR's "Soundcheck" with John Schaefer.

Marlon is currently the Director of Music Therapy Services at the Ambassador of Scarsdale and an adjunct professor at Suny New Paltz. His non for profit organization, Komitoms, Inc just recently was the recipient of a grant from the Alzheimers Foundation of America."