Tune of the Week: Naked City

John Zorn is a musician and composer that refuses to be pinned down. The jazz world may claim him as one of their own. Indeed, the works of Ornette Coleman do form a considerable influence on him. However, so does Ennio Morricone, Japanese noise rock, surf music, classical and hardcore punk music. His late 80s/early 90s band Naked City perfectly exemplifies Zorn’s range of influences by cramming them all into short compositions. Born out of a desire to test the limits of the rock band format, one Naked City tune can include sections that emulate free jazz, funk-rock, thrash metal, bebop and even television station IDs. It’s like a “No Attention Span Theater” for your ears!

Bonus tune below: a live television performance of the same composition featuring David Sanborn. Generally considered a more corny and/or soft player, Sanborn proves he can keep up with Zorn’s breakneck changes with ease!