Evan Parker & John Zorn – Those Landings (2026)

Two pivotal figures in contemporary saxophone music, Evan Parker and John Zorn, have joined forces on a studio album titled Those Landings, slated for release in 2026. Their partnership, which dates back to the late 1970s, marks a significant meeting of minds within avant-garde reed performance.

This new project diverges from conventional jazz frameworks, focusing instead on the saxophone as a tool for creating soundscapes and atmospheres. Recorded across sessions held in New York and Britain between 2025 and 2026, the album delves deeply into the sonic possibilities of the instrument beyond melody and rhythm.

Those Landings presents a collection of five extended compositions, each exploring varying textures and tonal nuances. The tracks—"All Kinds of Things I," "Whispering," "Sighing," "Hissing," and "Suggestions of Danger and Violence"—highlight the artists' shared philosophy of employing the saxophone as a source of ambient and textural expression rather than traditional improvisational statements.

The collaboration is described as long overdue, reflecting the enduring professional relationship and mutual respect between Parker and Zorn. Both musicians have built reputations as uncompromising innovators, pushing the boundaries of what reed instruments can convey in modern music.

Their approach on Those Landings is characterized by an exploratory and intimate aesthetic. Rather than foregrounding virtuosic displays, the album prioritizes the saxophone's timbral qualities and the interplay of sound and silence, inviting listeners into an immersive auditory environment.

Recorded in two major cultural hubs for experimental music, the sessions in New York and Britain underscore the transatlantic nature of this collaboration. Each location contributed to the creative process, enriching the album's sonic diversity.

While detailed information about production personnel and release formats remains limited, the significance of Those Landings lies in its representation of two master improvisers reconceptualizing the saxophone's role. Their work contributes to ongoing dialogues within contemporary music about instrumentality and sound exploration.

Evan Parker and John Zorn's joint effort adds a noteworthy chapter to their extensive discographies and offers a fresh perspective on reed-based music. Their shared history and radical musical philosophies resonate throughout this project, positioning Those Landings as a compelling addition to the 2026 experimental music landscape.