For those unaware, first-generation Filipino-American Jon Irabagon (b. 1978, Chicago) has been influenced by the self-empowering and individualistic philosophies and aesthetic of the great AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) ensembles as well as the historic world-class tenor saxophone lineage from his hometown.

Equally adept at composing for rising stars in new music and the most intricate modern jazz ensemble, Irabagon builds on this foundation by adding modern classical and late-period John Coltrane to his compositional base, focusing primarily on mixed chamber ensembles to take advantage of hand-chosen musicians’ voices and attitudes.

Named one of New York City’s 25 Jazz Icons by Time Out New York, Irabagon composes for his ensemble Outright!, has been an ensemble and private lesson instructor for all levels at several institutions in the New York City area, and in January 2023, he joined the University of Illinois Chicago faculty, teaching jazz saxophone, direct combos, and courses in jazz history.

On February 21st, 2025, his brand new album Server Farm will be released via Irabbagast Records, and it charts the tension between the human and the virtual with a phenomenal band featuring Mazz Swift, Peter Evans, Miles Okazaki, Wendy Eisenberg, Matt Mitchell, Michael Formanek, Chris Lightcap, Dab Weiss and Levy Lorenzo.

1. Colocation
2. Routers
3. Singularities
4. Graceful Exit
5. Spy

Recorded on March 12th, 2023 at Big Orange Sheep in Brooklyn, NY by Chris Benham, and with an audacious new 10-piece electro-acoustic ensemble in place, this wonderfully impassioned new recording opens on the organically sculpted, melodiously intelligent Colocation and then we get the jaunty, organically playful Routers, and they are then in turn followed by the all-encompassing sounds of Singularities, then we are brought forth an aching yearn that drives throughout Graceful Exit, the new set coming to a close on an underlying skedaddling static energy within the fifteen minute opus Spy.

Musicians:
Jon Irabagon -- tenor saxophone, sopranino saxophone, effects
Mazz Swift -- violin, vocals
Peter Evans -- trumpet, flugelhorn
Miles Okazaki -- guitar
Wendy Eisenberg -- guitar
Matt Mitchell -- piano, Fender Rhodes, Prophet-6
Michael Formanek -- acoustic bass
Chris Lightcap -- electric bass
Dan Weiss -- drums
Levy Lorenzo -- kulintang, laptop, electronics, vibraphone

Official Purchase Links

Official Website