“Halvorson’s music has always had the capacity to surprise, but Code Girl amounts to the most startling move in her solo career.” 

–Nate Chinen, NPR 

 

Trailblazing jazz artist Mary Halvorson is celebrated as a formidable and singular guitarist, improviser, and composer. Awarded a MacArthur “genius” Fellowship in 2019, the Brookline-native returns to Boston for a special one-night-only performance with her band Code Girl, featuring intrepid fellow musicians Amirtha Kidambi (vocals), Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Brian Settles (tenor saxophone), Michael Formanek (bass), and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). Halvorson and her band deftly meld styles and genres across jazz, experimental rock, and folk to create a virtuosic and expansive sonic experience.

Preview the performance program

Biography: 

Guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson has been described as “a singular talent” (Lloyd Sachs, JazzTimes), ”NYC’s least-predictable improviser” (Howard Mandel, City Arts), “one of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz—or otherwise” (Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal), and “one of today’s most formidable bandleaders” (Francis Davis, Village Voice). In recent Downbeat Critics Polls Halvorson has been celebrated as guitarist, rising star jazz artist, and rising star composer of the year, and in 2019 she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. Halvorson has released a series of critically acclaimed albums on the Firehouse 12 label, from Dragon’s Head (2008), her trio debut featuring bassist John Hébert and drummer Ches Smith, expanding to a quintet with trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson and alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon on Saturn Sings (2010) and Bending Bridges (2012), a septet with tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and trombonist Jacob Garchik on Illusionary Sea (2014), and finally an octet with pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn on Away With You (2016). She also released the solo recording Meltframe (2015), and most recently debuted her song project Code Girl (2018). One of New York City’s most in-demand guitarists, over the past decade Halvorson has worked with such diverse musicians as Tim Berne, Anthony Braxton, Taylor Ho Bynum, John Dieterich, Trevor Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ingrid Laubrock, Jason Moran, Joe Morris, Tom Rainey, Jessica Pavone, Tomeka Reid, Marc Ribot and John Zorn. She is also part of several collaborative projects, most notably the longstanding trio Thumbscrew with Michael Formanek on bass and Tomas Fujiwara on drums. 

Accessibility

The ICA is pleased to offer closed captioning and assistive listening devices for programs that take place in the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater. Assistive Listening Devices are also available at the theater door. Captioning will be available via a QR code at the theater entrance and once accessed, captioning will be available on your phone. Staff will be on hand in the theater to assist you if necessary. Learn more about accessibility at the ICA.