Jon Irabagon

Jon Irabagon
Jon Irabagon at the Moers Festival in 2009.
Jon Irabagon at the Moers Festival in 2009.
Background information
Genresavant-garde jazz, free jazz, post-bop, avant-metal, experimental music
Occupation(s)composer, saxophonist
LabelsIrabbagast, Innova, Hot Cup, Carrier, Greenleaf Music
Websitejonirabagon.com

Jon Irabagon is a Filipino-American saxophonist, composer, and founder of Irabbagast Records.[1]

Winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition[1] and one of Time Out's "25 essential New York City jazz icons",[2] Irabagon is known for the breadth of his work on a jazz continuum ranging "from postbop to free improvisation, avant country to doom metal".[3] His "extraordinary eclecticism"[4] has led to performances with such diverse artists as Wynton Marsalis,[5] Lou Reed, Evan Parker, Billy Joel, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Bertha Hope, Herbie Hancock, Conor Oberst,[6] Christian McBride,[7] Mike Pride,[8] Kenny Barron, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Bill Laswell, Peter Evans,[9] Tyshawn Sorey, Ingrid Laubrock,[10] Ava Mendoza,[11] Mick Barr, and Tom Rainey.

Irabagon's many projects as bandleader include a quartet with Luis Perdomo, Yasushi Nakamura, and Rudy Royston,[12] as well as a trio with Mark Helias and Barry Altschul.[13] He is also a member of the Mary Halvorson Quintet, Septet,[14] and Octet;[15] the Dave Douglas Quintet;[16] Barry Altschul’s 3Dom Factor;[17] and is a former member of Mostly Other People Do the Killing.[18] Irabagon received a Philippine Presidential Award in 2014.[19]

  1. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (18 September 2015). "Jon Irabagon Paints Tradition in New Hues". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  2. ^ Shteamer, Hank; Smith, Steve (2011). "The 25 essential New York City jazz icons". TimeOut New York. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  3. ^ Longley, Martin (August 2012). "Artist Feature: Jon Irabagon" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. ^ Conrad, Thomas (26 April 2019). "Jon Irabagon, Eclectic Warrior". Jazz Times. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Untamed Elegance". Library of Congress. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Original Soundtrack: The Hottest State". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week". The New York Times. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. ^ Margasak, Peter (July 2009). "Jon Irabagon & Mike Pride, Frankenstein". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Concerts of the Year: Peter Evans Quartet" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. ^ Osborne, Bob (15 October 2020). "Ray Russell Plus New Releases From Ears&Eyes". All About Jazz. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  11. ^ Ackermann, Karl (26 October 2020). "I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues: I Don't Hear Nothin' But The Blues Volume 3: Anatomical Snuffbox". All About Jazz. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  12. ^ Whitehead, Kevin (30 May 2018). "Saxophonist Jon Irabagon Plays With Heart On 'Dr. Quixotic's Traveling Exotics'". NPR. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  13. ^ Margasak, Peter (21 February 2014). "Jon Irabagon and the deep pocket of his trio". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. ^ Johnson, Martin (29 December 2014). "Standing Out From Their Crowds: Ensemble work highlights the burgeoning skills of saxophonist Jon Irabagon and guitarist Mary Halvorson". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. ^ Margasak, Peter (29 August 2017). "Mary Halvorson's band keeps getting bigger—and better". The Chicago Reader. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  16. ^ Layman, Will (15 January 2019). "Dave Douglas Quintet's 'Brazen Heart: Live at Jazz Standard' Sits Cozily Next to Miles Davis' 'Plugged Nickel' Recordings". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  17. ^ Conrad, Thomas (25 April 2019). "Barry Altschul & the 3Dom Factor: Live in Kraków (Not Two)". Jazz Times. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  18. ^ Layman, Will (29 January 2013). "Saxophonist Jon Irabagon Takes Us By Storm". PopMatters. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Year 2014 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas" (PDF). Retrieved 23 January 2021.