Tzadik Records
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| Tzadik | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | John Zorn Kazunori Sugiyama |
| Distributing label | Koch Distribution |
| Genre | Jazz, Improvised music, Experimental music |
| Country of origin | US |
| Official website | www.tzadik.com |
Tzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases. Tzadik is a not-for-profit, cooperative record label.
Tzadik has released over 400 albums by a variety of artists with diverse musical backgrounds, including, but not limited to free improvisation, jazz, noise, klezmer, rock and experimental composition.
Notable in the label's catalogue are releases by Zorn himself and his multifaceted "songbook" group Masada; singer Mike Patton; guitarists Derek Bailey, Otomo Yoshihide, Tim Sparks, Buckethead and Keiji Haino; noise music icon Merzbow; composers Gordon Mumma, Frank Denyer and Teiji Ito; experimental groups Kayo Dot, Time of Orchids and Rashanim; drummer Yoshida Tatsuya and his band Ruins; trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith; and many others.
Particularly of note are two musicians. Guitarist Marc Ribot is essentially the "house guitarist" for Tzadik, recording five Tzadik solo albums as of late 2007, and playing as a guest on several dozen more. Percussionist Ikue Mori has recorded six albums for Tzadik as a composer, created the uniform gold-and-green design for Tzadik releases,[1] and has created photography and artwork for many releases.
Tzadik releases are classified into one of several series: The more-or-less self explanatory "New Japan", "Composer Series", "Lunatic Fringe", "Radical Jewish Culture" and "Film Music" series; also of note are the "Archival Series" (documenting Zorn's own prolific output); the "Oracle Series" (devoted to female composers and musicians); and the "Birthday Series" (live recordings of concerts Zorn staged to celebrate his 50th birthday).
