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ZMF Trio: Zubot-Martin-Fonda

founded in 2005, collective

from left: Jesse Zubot - Jean Martin - Joe Fonda

Joe Fonda (bass) is an accomplished international jazz artist who has performed with his own ensembles and as a side man with Archie Shepp, Kenny Barron, Leo Smith, Dave Douglas, Curtis Fuller, Mark Whitecage and many others. Fonda was the bassist with the renowned Anthony Braxton sextet, octet, tentet, from 1984 through 1999. Currently Fonda has been recording and touring extensively with the Fonda-Stevens Group, Conference Call (w/ Gebhard Ullmann) and The FAB Trio, featuring the legendary Billy Bang (violin) and Barry Altschul (drums). Jesse Zubot (violin) is a founding member of renowned acoustic instrumentalists Zubot & Dawson and The Great Uncles of the Revolution. Both groups are Juno Award winners (Canada). In the past few years, he has delved heavily into the world of improvised & creative music having worked with François Houle, Peggy Lee, Dylan van der Schyff, Eugene Chadbourne, Fred Frith, Dave Douglas, Nels Cline, Tony Wilson, David Tronzo, Humcrush, Secret Mommy, Matthew Bourne, Henry Kaiser and many others. His recent solo release, Dementia, was described by Paris Transatlantic Magazine as "...the kind of thing that could permamently alter your neurons."

Jean Martin's unique drumming style has enabled him to work with great artists such as Mark Dresser, Don Byron, John Oswald, Wilbert de Joode, Lori Freedman, Jean Derome, Justin Haynes, Chelsea Bridge, DD Jackson, Frank Gratowski and many others. He co-leads the group Barnyard Drama with vocal art explorer Christine Duncan. Their recent recording, I'm A Navvy, was picked by Exclaim! Magazine as one of the top ten Experimental/Avant-Garde albums of 2006. Jean's other recent release, Idiolalla, is on the Ambiances Magnétiques label.

The ZMF Trio, featuring Jesse Zubot, Joe Fonda, and Jean Martin, has just released its first CD, Circle the Path, on Jesse Zubot's own label Drip Audio.

Circle The Path straddles the line somewhere between old-school free jazz, contemporary improvisation, the blues, and standard composition. Despite it's uncompromising and aggressive tendencies, Circle The Path manages to reach moments of serene beauty and contemplation. The recording was created a mere 4 days after the groups first moments of making music together; a youthful and dangerous spirit is contained within. Circle The Path was recorded in Vancouver, BC one day in the spring of 2005 at the Factory Studios and was mixed by Chon (Ox, Joe Keithley, The Buttless Chaps, The Be Good Tanyas) at Profile. Chon's unique and somewhat underground approach gives the album an almost punk-like edge.

Critics about the ZMF Trio

...well crafted and spontaneously realised.
Glen Hall in his review of ZMF's Circle the Path for Exclaim!

Breathtaking.
Gordon B. Isnor in his review of ZMF's Circle the Path Circle the Path for Left Hip Magazine.

...delightfully beyond category.
Marc Medwin in his review of ZMF's Circle the Path

...this captivating experimental jazz trio is the cat's meow.
Jay Jay Erickson & McCalla in their review of ZMF's Circle the Path for panpot.ca

...a terrific debut.
Dân Warburton in his review of ZMF's Circle the Path for Paris Transatlantic.

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