ZOH AMBA

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USA
CANADIAN PREMIERE

THURSDAY MAY 18
CARRÉ 150 (Cabaret G. Aubert)
MIDNIGHT - $30 

Zoh Amba : saxophone ténor
Micah Thomas : piano
Thomas Morgan : contrebasse
Miguel Marcel Russell : batterie

Tenor sax player ZOH AMBA, age 23, is nothing less than a phenomenon. Born in Tennessee, she moved to New York pushed by an unmatched drive, and she has been drawing a lot of attention since, notably from improvisers who have twice, three times, and even four times her age. Last year, she released three critically acclaimed albums. Her debut as a leader, O, Sun, was produced by JOHN ZORN for the Tzadik label—quite a seal of approval! On that record, she is backed by young pianist MICAH THOMAS (Billy Drummond, Immanuel Wilkins), bassist THOMAS MORGAN (Bill Frisell, Jim Black), and drummer Joey Baron. AMBA has also performed and recorded with MATT HOLLENBERG, Tyshawn Sorey, and William Parker.

Seldom have we seen a musician (man or woman) digest so deeply the history of free jazz and find their own voice at such a young age. AMBA’s music is driven by an Albert Ayler-like sense of urgency, but also features the kind of devotional call one can find in Alice Coltrane or Matana Roberts.