Jason Moran, Blankfor.ms, Marcus Gilmore – Shards (2026)

In 2026, pianist Jason Moran, electronic sound artist Blankfor.ms (Tyler Gilmore), and drummer Marcus Gilmore will release Shards, their second collaborative album exploring the interface of live jazz improvisation and real-time electronic manipulation. This project follows their 2023 debut, Refract, continuing their quest to push the boundaries where post-bop jazz meets experimental electronic soundscapes.

The trio’s approach distinguishes itself by emphasizing spontaneity and live interaction rather than relying on post-production editing. Unlike conventional electronic jazz fusions that often involve reworking recorded tracks after the fact, Blankfor.ms processes samples of Moran’s piano and Gilmore’s drumming as they perform, immediately reintegrating these elements into the unfolding musical dialogue. This method fosters a dynamic, continuously evolving sonic environment reflective of the musicians’ interplay.

Shards opens with “Shard I,” which initially channels the intensity and freedom reminiscent of 1960s free jazz, gradually dissolving into more fragmented and abstract textures. This track exemplifies the album’s theme of fragmentation and reflection, evoking the image of shattered glass through its shifting layers and sonic deconstruction.

Contrasting with the opener, “Shard II” presents a more elusive atmosphere, blending rhythmic patterns suggestive of a rhumba that feels dreamlike and partially obscured. This track’s hazy recollection adds to the album’s conceptual framing around memory, perception, and distortion.

Throughout the album, the trio navigates an array of moods and styles. “Tape Loop a Echo” introduces a futuristic, robotic jazz vibe, while “And the Pieces Are Falling” offers a delicate, impressionistic ballad enriched with spectral textures. Additionally, “Barbershop” infuses metallic tones and a driving rhythm reminiscent of Krautrock’s experimental funk, emphasizing the album’s eclectic sonic palette.

The collaborative work of Moran, Blankfor.ms, and Gilmore on Shards exemplifies a sophisticated synthesis of acoustic jazz instrumentation with electronic sound design. Their live processing technique highlights the immediacy and unpredictability of improvisation, pushing forward the dialogue between tradition and innovation in modern jazz.

This project aligns with a lineage of artists who have bridged jazz and electronic music, echoing milestones such as Miles Davis’ late 1960s explorations, yet it stands apart through its commitment to real-time creation and textural complexity. The resulting soundscapes are simultaneously rooted in jazz’s modal and rhythmic frameworks and propelled into new experimental territories by electronic manipulation.

While full details about the album’s release format and supporting tour remain limited, Shards promises to offer an immersive listening experience that challenges conventional genre boundaries. As the trio continues to evolve their shared language, this album is poised to attract audiences interested in cutting-edge jazz and electronic fusion.

By revisiting and expanding the concepts introduced in Refract, Moran, Blankfor.ms, and Gilmore reaffirm their position as innovators within contemporary music, blending virtuosic musicianship with technological artistry to create sonic reflections that are as fragmented and multifaceted as their title suggests.