Mary Halvorson

Mary Halvorson

Avant-Garde Guitar Visionary

Mary Halvorson redefines the electric guitar, pushing boundaries with her unique improvisational style and compositions that seamlessly blend jazz, rock, and experimental sounds.

jazzexperimental jazzavant-garde jazzimprovised musicindie jazz

About

Mary Halvorson is an acclaimed guitarist, composer, and improviser known for her distinctive sound and innovative approach to jazz and experimental music. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she has carved out a unique space in contemporary music through her adventurous compositions and highly individual guitar playing.

Music Style

Halvorson's music is characterized by intricate compositions, often angular melodies, and a highly personal improvisational vocabulary on the guitar, incorporating unique bends, delays, and distortion.

Background

Hometown
Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Education
Wesleyan University, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
Instruments
guitar
Active
2000s-present

Similar Artists

If you like Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Nels Cline — you'll love this artist

Bill Frisell
Both are guitarists known for expanding the sonic possibilities of the instrument within jazz, often incorporating elements from other genres with a distinctive personal voice.
85%
Marc Ribot
Both guitarists have a strong connection to New York's avant-garde scene, employ extended techniques, and push the boundaries of jazz and experimental music.
90%
Nels Cline
Known for their experimental and improvisational approach to guitar, blending jazz with rock, noise, and avant-garde textures.
80%

Notable Collaborations

Anthony BraxtonJohn ZornMarc RibotThumbscrewSylvie CourvoisierKris DavisMichael FormanekTaylor Ho Bynum
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