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“An energetic and spiritual genre mash-up that must be heard”
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“Ecstatic Jewish music with Fela Kuti’s swaggering afrobeat sound”
Zion80 is a 10-piece, horn-heavy band combining the mystical melodies of Jewish music with the polyrhythmic intensity of Afrobeat and the improvisational madness of avant-garde jazz. Led by guitarist, composer and producer Jon Madof (John Zorn, Matisyahu), Zion80’s lineup is bolstered by guitars, keyboards, drums and percussion to create a massive sound that brings audiences to their feet and blasts them right in their souls. Their idiosyncratic, infectious sound has enthralled audiences across the US and in Europe at venues and festivals including the Krakow Jewish Culture Festival and the Saalfelden Jazz Festival (Austria).
Zion80's debut was released on John Zorn's Tzadik Records in 2013. Since then they've released two additional albums on Tzadik, both featuring music by John Zorn: Adramelech in 2014 and The Book Beri’ah, Vol. 8: Hod in 2019. In 2017 they released Warriors - an album of original music - on Chant Records (the label founded by Madof and bassist/producer Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz). Zion80's 2021 release Warriors RMX (Chant Records) features remixes by Madof along with Koby Israelite and other guest artists.
Jon Madof – guitar
Frank London – trumpet
Greg Wall – tenor sax
Jessica Lurie – bari sax
Zach Mayer – bari sax
Brian Marsella – keyboards
Yoshie Fruchter – guitar
Shanir Blumenkranz – bass
Marlon Sobol – percussion
Yuval Lion – drums
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