New Paths Festival Connects Experimental Greats Under Many Roofs

An impressive roster of experimental music greats come together in Philadelphia for the New Paths Festival, presented by Ars Nova Workshop. The festival aims to create a connectivity between the artists of varying genres — from caustic free jazz to drone-ish electronica to pedal-heavy noise — and to their performance spaces.

Iconic figures of experimental jazz (including legendary and prolific John Zorn, who rarely journeys to Philly) and plenty of other namedrop-worthy innovators are scheduled for the festival’s April 21st to May 30th run, operating from various venues around town. The unique concert venues housing the artists in the project include Bartram’s Garden, Barnes Foundation, American Swedish Historical Museum, German Society of Pennsylvania Library, and Girard College Chapel.

Check out the full schedule after the jump:

Ken Vandermark’s Made to Break
Monday, 4/21, 8 p.m. (7  p.m. pre-concert discussion), $25, Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Milford Graves: Saturday
Saturday, 4/26, 8 p.m., $40, Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard

John Zorn’s Hermetic Organ
Saturday, 5/10, 8 p.m., $10, Girard College Chapel, 2101 South College Avenue

William Parker & Muhammad Ali Duo with Odean Pope
Sunday, 5/11, 8 p.m., $25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street

William Parker & Muhammad Ali Duo with Marshall Allen
Monday, 5/12, 8 p.m., $25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street

William Parker & Muhammad Ali Duo with Dave Burrell
Tuesday, 5/13, 8 p.m., $25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street

Mats Gustavsson’s Swedish Azz
Saturday, 5/17, 8 p.m., $25, American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue

St. Francis Duo
Monday, 5/19, 8 p.m., $15, St. Francis, de Sales Auditorium, 4625 Springfield Avenue

Peter Brotzmann
Friday, 5/30, 8 p.m., $25, German Society of Pennsylvania’s Horner Memorial Library, 611 Spring Garden Street