Biography
Formed in 1995, the instrumental quartet Zony Mash fused angular keyboard and guitar lines with tightly interlocked bass and drum grooves to produce a sound at once technically demanding and playful. Founder Wayne Horvitz, a composer, pianist, and keyboardist already known for collaborations with John Zorn, shifted his focus toward a more approachable style while retaining his Seattle base. Guitarist Timothy Young added a blues-tinged rock edge, and the rhythm section of bassist Fred Chalenor and drummer Andy Roth supplied a solid foundation. Their first recording, Cold Spell, positioned the group alongside other jazz-funk ensembles such as Medeski, Martin & Wood. The 1998 follow-up, Brand Spankin’ New, showcased even more precise ensemble work and benefited from the polished engineering of longtime collaborator Tucker Martine. Two contrasting albums appeared in 2000: Upper Egypt preserved the band’s established electric approach with Keith Lowe now handling bass duties, whereas American Bandstand presented an acoustic reconfiguration that highlighted Horvitz’s distinctive writing. Live in Seattle captured a 2002 performance, after which the quartet concluded its run with final concerts in the Emerald City in December 2003.
Albums
