HENRY THREADGILL & ZOOID
Christopher Hoffman cello, Henry Threadgill altosax/flutes/composer/arranger, Jose Davila trombone/tuba, Liberty Ellman guitar, Stomu Takeishi acoustic bass guitar, Elliot Kavee drums
Last year, Zooid topped the annual polls of countless jazz critics in authoritative newspapers such as the New York Times and Washington Post. Band leader, alto saxophonist and flutist Henry Threadgill has been highly regarded as a composer for years; Downbeat praises him as one of the most important contemporary composers. Hidden behind the seductive acoustic music of Zooid, with timbres from jazz and refreshing arrangements with tuba and guitar, is a completely new style of improvising that pushes musicians to the limits. ‘Zooid, a term from biology referring to cellular locomotion, is an apt moniker for the way Threadgill keeps tuba, guitar, drums, electric bass, and his own alto or flute moving in harmonious opposition’ (Village Voice).