FIVE THINGS You SHould KNOW ABOUT
mary halvorson

July 17, 2019 | by Rusty Aceves

Mary Halvorson

Guitarist Mary Halvorson is one of the most celebrated young guitarists in contemporary music. Here are five things to know about her:

1. The Brooklyn-based guitarist began her musical journey as a violinist, but her discovery of the music of Jimi Hendrix inspired her to pick up the guitar at age 11. She studied with Israeli jazz guitar virtuoso Issi Rozen prior to entering Wesleyan University.
2. She’s established a major career as a bandleader, leading or co-leading over 20 albums and ensembles including the Mary Halvorson Trio, Quintet, Septet, Octet, and duo with violist Jessica Pavone as well as the bands Reverse Blue and People. As a collaborator and band member, she’s worked extensively with Anthony Braxton and recorded and performed with cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum, John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Yo La Tengo, Alicia Hall Moran, and Bill Frisell, among others.
3. She won multiple DownBeat Critics Polls for Best Guitarist, Rising Star jazz artist, and Rising Star composer of the year, and has received raves for her singular artistry from the news media:
   “...Mary Halvorson is the most future-seeking guitarist working right now, thinking out the instrument on a level most couldn’t comprehend.” — NPR
   “She is the most critically acclaimed jazz guitarist to emerge (in the past dozen years)... an unflinching original who has revealed new possibilities within the music.” — The New York Times
   “Light years ahead of her peers, she is the most impressive guitarist of her generation” — All Music Guide
   “Simply put, no one is making music like this.” — JazzTimes
   “One of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz” — Wall Street Journal
4. Halvorson’s bandmates in Thumbscrew include Michael Formanek, one of the most accomplished bassists, composers and bandleaders in jazz, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara, a superlative instrumentalist and composer known for work with John Zorn, Red Baraat, Taylor Ho Bynum, Nicole Mitchell, and Ben Goldberg.
5. Code Girl was named for an offhand comment her mentor, saxophonist and jazz icon Anthony Braxton, made in passing while Halvorson was on a European tour with Braxton’s band. She used the name for this project because it fit her approach to songwriting and lyrics, which, as she told NPR Music, “seemed a little bit coded and strange.” Her compositions include her first statements as a lyricist, inspired by the work of Robert Wyatt and Elliott Smith, and are sung by vocalist Amirtha Kidambi.