Mary Halvorson discusses her two new releases, Amaryllis and Belladonna, composed during the Covid lockdown. Deftly interpreted by the Mivos Quartet, the recordings showcase Halvorson's superb writing for strings, alongside a brand new sextet featuring Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Jacob Garchik (trombone), Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), Nick Dunston (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). The twin debuts for Nonesuch Records, released in May 2022, were called “...new landmarks in Halvorson’s already inimitable discography” in a five star review by The Guardian.
During the interview she gives us insights to her background, her guitar inspiration with Jimi Hendrix and studies with Anthony Braxton. Mary has been described as “a singular talent” (Lloyd Sachs, JazzTimes), ”NYC’s least-predictable improviser” (Howard Mandel, City Arts), “one of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz—or otherwise” (Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal), and “one of today’s most formidable bandleaders” (Francis Davis, Village Voice). In 2019 she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship.
“An unflinching original who has revealed new possibilities within the music.” — New York Times