Ex-Slayer Drummer Dave Lombardo Announced for Zorn in Oz Concert Series

The latest musician to be announced for the Adelaide Festival exclusive John Zorn concert series next March is legendary ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo (Philm, Fantômas).

Adelaide Festival's Artistic Director David Sefton said: "With a stellar list of artists already announced for the Zorn in Oz concerts, I'm just thrilled to confirm the addition of another superstar, Dave Lombardo."

Lombardo joins a spectacular lineup of almost 40 of Zorn's closest collaborators including Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantômas, Mr. Bungle), Bill Laswell (Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock), Marc Ribot (Tom Waites, Elvis Costello), Joey Baron (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) and John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood).

Lombardo features on the third night of the four-night series in Zorn in Oz: Triple Bill, playing drums alongside Zorn on alto-sax and the downtown bass legend Bill Laswell, in an improvisational trio named Bladerunner.

This will be the first time Bladerunner is presented as a trio, originally debuting in 2000 as a quartet with Fred Firth on guitar. This line-up went on to tour select venues around Europe, with Zorn masterfully leading the heavyweight improvising band to create music both urgent and succinct, scrambled and ferocious, lush and atmospheric.

In a 2006 interview appearing in Exclaim Magazine, Dave Lombardo spoke about Bladerunner as his most inspirational and memorable gig.

"In Paris at a jazz festival. I played there with John Zorn and Bill Laswell, the dub producer, and Fred Frith, the guitar player/sound effects guy. We did an improv that brought the people to their feet - it was just amazing. That showed what could come out from your inside naturally - a musical experience that happens not very often."

On the same evening, ticket-holders will also see Essential Cinema; a screening of experimental films accompanied by members of Electric Masada performing live soundtracks composed and conducted by Zorn; and Cobra, Zorn's most celebrated improvisational 'game piece' featuring a dozen of NY's most astonishing improvisers prompted by Zorn himself.

One of the world's most prolific and legendary avant-garde musicians, Zorn forged his reputation experimenting and mixing between so many genres and styles that conventional categorisation of his music is meaningless. Forty years of relentless genre busting musical experimentation, performance and composition will be distilled into four exclusive evenings.

Note: Performance dates and artists details in these concerts have changed since the publication of the printed guide, please see adelaidefestival.com.au for up-to-date information

Tuesday, 11 March 7.30PM Masada Marathon
Wednesday, 12 March 7.30PM Classical Marathon (Conductor: David Fulmer)
Thursday, 13 March 7.30PM Triplebill: (Bladerunner, Essential Cinema and Cobra)
Friday, 14 March 7.30PM Zorn @ 60

For listings:
Festival Theatre|11 Mar - 14 Mar |$35 - $129|

Tickets: adelaidefestival.com.au or BASS 131 246

Zorn in Oz - Triplebill:
Bladerunner - Thursday, 13 March
John Zorn (saxophone), Bill Laswell (bass), Dave Lombardo (Drums)

Essential Cinema - Thursday, 13 March
John Zorn (saxophone), Marc Ribot (guitar), Jamie Saft (keyboard), Trevor Dunn (bass), Kenny Wollesen (vibraphone), Joey Baron (drums), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Ikue Mori (elec), Erik Friedlander (cello), Aram Bajakian (guitar)

Cobra - Thursday, 13 March
John Zorn (prompter), Mike Patton (vocals), Marc Ribot (guitar), Jamie Saft (keyboard), Trevor Dunn (bass), Joey Baron (drums), Kenny Wollesen (drums), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Ikue Mori (elec), John Medeski (piano), Mark Feldman (violin), Erik Friedlander (cello) Eyal Maoz (guitar)

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