Colin Stetson (saxophone)

The Roger Federer of instrumental avant-garde music.

Tom Waits, TV on the Radio, Feist, Bon Iver, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Jolie Holland, Sinéad O’Connor, LCD Soundsystem and Anthony Braxton; the list of artists that saxophonist Colin Stetson has worked with is impressive. In addition, he has also played in rock bands such as Bell Orchestre and the Arcade Fire.

But is he mostly known for his performance of ‘solo saxophone music of New History Warfare’ in concert halls across the US and his appearances at Barack Obama’s campaign meetings. He’s often referred to ‘the Roger Federer of instrumental avant-garde music.’ This year, he played at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Moers Jazz Festival and toured with Sway Machinery, Bell Orchestre and The National. “Colin Stetson is an absolute master of the saxophone. (…)New History Warfare, Vol. 1 is a truly impressive (…) and highly individual musical statement. (…) Stetson's compositions and ability to tell a musical story are what make this a great album. You haven't heard saxophone music quite like this.”- (Allmusic.com)