Ned Rothenberg

Multi-reedist Ned Rothenberg creates and interprets works for saxophones, an array of flutes that encompasses shakuhachi, and bass clarinet. He has sustained a career as an independent soloist and avant-garde jazz exponent dating back at least to the 1970s, appearing with Anthony Braxton’s Creative Orchestra in 1978. That same year he relocated to New York City, where he subsequently directed the ensembles Power Lines, issued on New World, and Double Band, released by Moers. Rothenberg co-established New Winds alongside flutist Robert Dick and trumpeter Herb Robertson. He also maintains the group Sync with bassist Jerome Harris, whose recordings appear on Intuition, and has worked alongside such noted experimental figures as John Zorn, Elliott Sharp, Samm Bennett, and Fred Frith. Extended periods in Japan included a six-month stay devoted to study with shakuhachi masters Goro Yamaguchi and Katsuya Yokoyama while presenting his own compositions. Between the late 1980s and mid-1990s he made three visits to the former Soviet Union, appearing both unaccompanied and in duo with vocalist Sainkho Namchylak. Additional travels have taken him throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia for hundreds of performances at festivals such as Tampere in Finland in 1992, FIMAV in Quebec in 1997, and Edgefest in Michigan in both 1998 and 2009. Entering the new century he maintained his pace of activity, issuing Ghost Stories and Port of Entry in 2000, Tools of the Trade in 2001, Intervals in 2002, Fell Clutch in 2006, and Inner Diaspora in 2007. In 2010 Tzadik brought out two further recordings: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, performed with the Mivos Quartet, and Ryu Nashi/No School: New Music for Shakuhachi.