David Murray + Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet
David Murray Quartet
David Murray (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Marta Sanchez (piano), Luke Stewart (double bass), Russell Carter (drums), Francesca Cinelli (vocals)
For more than fifty years, David Murray has been shaping the sound of modern Jazz: bold, creative, rooted in tradition, and always pushing borders.
Since his arrival in New York in 1975, David Murray has established himself as one of the most prominent saxophonists and leading names in the world of Jazz. He has released over 200 albums on his own, collaborating with artists such as Max Roach, Randy Weston, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Taj Mahal, Mal Waldron, Amiri Baraka, Jerry Garcia, Doudou N’daye Rose, Cassandra Wilson, Jason Moran, Macy Gray, Omara Portuondo, Saul Williams, Vijay Iyer, Quest Love, Black Thought y Gregory Porter, to name a few. He also is a founding member of the ground-breaking World Saxophone Quartet, which has been touring and recording for forty years.
Now, at 70, he is embarking on something new, with his current quartet, having a direct hand in the rise of critically acclaimed young talents: Marta Sanchez, on piano, Luke Stewart on double bass, and Russell Carter, on drums. So much creativity and technical mastery concentrated here.
The quartet’s first album, Francesca (2024), confirmed that Murray was certainly not resting on his laurels. Critics hailed it one of the best albums of the year, further underlining the legendary saxophonist’s creative vitality.
Now the group is back with a new work, Birdly Serenade (2025). Recorded at the legendary van Gelder Studio, following in the footsteps of Coltrane, the album is inspired by birds and the natural world.
Critics unanimously agree that David Murray is at the peak of his career:
- "The legendary David Murray is back with the next generation of geniuses".
(Washington Post)
- "The result is there for all to see, hear and feel: quintessential Murray". (The New York Times)
- "Francesca is David Murray simply overflowing with magic". (Slate)
- "The austere, indomitable soloist, as creative and inspired as in his heyday, with an added aura of maturity". (El País)
- "A double album that confirms David Murray’s status as one of the most prominent figures today, who has long been a bridge between different worlds and generations". (Libération)
- "At the peak of his compositional prowess". (Jazzwisemagazine)
- "A fabulous collaboration of ideas and spirit". (NPR)
- "The return of the hero". (Musicajazz)
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet
Joe Lovano (saxophone), Julian Lage (guitar), Santi Debriano (double bass), Will Calhoun (drums)
Paramount Quartet: four Jazz superstars who combine to yield something that is always absolutely flawless. Maestro Lovano, with his unique saxophone, warm sound and fluid musical saunters; Julian Jage, with his elegant guitar of astonishing clarity; Santi Debriano, whose deep, rhythmic, double bass is laced with Afro-Latin influences; and Will Calhoun, on drums as powerful as they are nuanced.
Joe Lovano
An essential figure in contemporary Jazz, saxophonist Joe Lovano has constantly searched for new sounds. Born in Cleveland in 1952, he first studied saxophone with his father, Tony ‘Big T’ Lovano, and completed his studies at Berklee College in Boston, which later granted him an honorary doctorate. Lovano has also taught at prestigious institutions such as NYU, Juilliard or the Manhattan School of Music.
His career began in 1973, accompanying Tom Jones in Las Vegas. He later joined Lonnie Smith's band and finally ended up in New York, where he first worked as a studio musician on a George Benson album. That was the beginning of the career of one of the best saxophonists of recent decades, a prolific artist with whom all the greats have always been keen to work: Woody Herman, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mel Lewis, Bob Brookmeyer, Paul Motian, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, Ernico Rava, Jacob Bro, Tony Bennett, Abbey Lincoln, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Gunther Schuller, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Ed Blackwell, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Hank Jones, Dave Liebman, Michael Brecker, Dave Douglas, Judi Silvano, Ravi Coltrane, Chucho Valdés, Ornette Coleman, Diana Krall and many others.
Julian Lage
Considered one of the most brilliant guitarists of his generation, Julian Lage possesses, in addition to marvellous technique, an imagination that is open to everything American musical tradition has to offer. A New York-based Californian, he has carved out a career that is as versatile as it is personal, working with figures such as Gary Burton and John Zorn, and also doing duos with musicians of the calibre of Nels Cline, Chris Eldridge or Fred Hersch, among others. His work stands out for its elegance, melodic clarity and exploratory spirit, and he has earned himself a place among the most admired improvisers around today.
Santi Debriano
The career of Panamanian-born, Santi Debriano, an extremely versatile bass player and composer, has been forged in New York, where he is a key presence on the Jazz scene. He has, over the years, led his own projects and always been highly sought after as a collaborator. He has performed at major international festivals. His group, Arkestra Bembé, mirrors the mixture of influences that define his music: Jazz harmonies, rhythms rooted in his Panamanian heritage and a connection to African tradition. His references include Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Cachao or Dave Holland.
Will Calhoun
To speak of two-time Grammy® winner and world-renowned drummer for Living Colour, Will Calhoun, is to speak of someone whose career transcends genres. He has worked with artists such as Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Lauryn Hill or Public Enemy, and deeply explored the African roots of percussion. He has also been active in community initiatives and multidisciplinary projects on climate change, and is forever seeking to expand his creative field, delving into electronic music, world music and, more recently, the visual arts.
