Erik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City. A veteran of New York City's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist

John Zorn John Zorn (born September 2, 1953) is an American composer, conductor, saxophonist, arranger and producer who "deliberately resists category". Zorn's avant-garde and experimental approaches to composition and improvisation are inclusive of jaz ...

. Friedlander grew up in a home filled with art and music: his father is photographer

Lee Friedlander Lee Friedlander (born July 14, 1934) is an American photographer and artist. In the 1960s and 1970s, Friedlander evolved an influential and often imitated visual language of urban "social landscape," with many of his photographs including fragm ...

, noted for the cover photographs he took for

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

. His father's fondness for R&B and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

helped shape Friedlander's taste in music. He graduated from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

in 1982. Friedlander started playing guitar at age six and added cello two years later. Apart from his work with Zorn, Friedlander has worked with

Laurie Anderson Laurel Philips Anderson (born June 5, 1947), known as Laurie Anderson, is an American avant-garde artist, composer, musician, and film director whose work spans performance art, pop music, and multimedia projects. Initially trained in violin and ...

Courtney Love Courtney Michelle Love (née Harrison; born July 9, 1964) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and actress. A figure in the alternative and grunge scenes of the 1990s, her career has spanned four decades. She rose to prominence as ...

and

Alanis Morissette Alanis Nadine Morissette ( ; born June 1, 1974) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting, Morissette began her career in Canada in the early 1990s with tw ...

, and is a member of the jazz/fusion quartet Topaz. He created the original music for the historical documentary '' Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Israelites''.

Discography

* ''

Chimera Chimera, Chimaera, or Chimaira (Greek for " she-goat") originally referred to: * Chimera (mythology), a fire-breathing monster of Ancient Lycia said to combine parts from multiple animals * Mount Chimaera, a fire-spewing region of Lycia or Cilici ...

'' (with Chimera) (

Avant AVANT, also known as AVANT street art guerrilla collective, was the artist group active in New York City from 1980 to 1984. By 1984 AVANT had produced thousands of acrylic on paper paintings and plastered them on walls, doors, bus-stops and gallerie ...

, 1995) * '' The Watchman'' (with Chimera) (

Tzadik Tzadik ( he, צַדִּיק , "righteous ne, also ''zadik'', ''ṣaddîq'' or ''sadiq''; pl. ''tzadikim'' ''ṣadiqim'') is a title in Judaism given to people considered righteous, such as biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The ...

, 1996) * ''

Topaz Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al Si O( F, OH). It is used as a gemstone in jewelry and other adornments. Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can mak ...

'' (with Topaz) (SIAM, 1999) * ''

Skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...

'' (with Topaz) (SIAM, 2000) also released on DVD * ''

Grains of Paradise ''Aframomum melegueta'' is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and closely related to cardamom. Its seeds are used as a spice (ground or whole); it imparts a pungent, black-pepper-like flavor with hints of citrus. It is commonly ...

'' (Tzadik, 2002)"Cellist Erik Friedlander's best recording as a leader is also one of the most distinctive jazz-with-strings albums ever made." – Ed Hazell, ''

The Boston Phoenix ''The Phoenix'' (stylized as ''The Phœnix'') was the name of several alternative weekly periodicals published in the United States of America by Phoenix Media/Communications Group of Boston, Massachusetts, including the ''Portland Phoenix'' a ...

'' * '' Quake'' (with Topaz) ( Cryptogramophone, 2003) * '' Maldoror'' ( Brassland, 2003) * '' Eiger'' (SkipStone, 2006) * '' Prowl'' (with Topaz) (Cryptogramophone, 2006) * ''Schio Duomilaquatro'' (Stella Nera, 2006) * ''Giorni Rubati'' (Bip-Hop, 2006) * '' Block Ice & Propane'' (SkipStone, 2007) * '' Volac: Book of Angels Volume 8'' (Tzadik, 2007) composed by John Zorn * '' Broken Arm Trio'' (SkipStone, 2008) * ''Vanishing Point'' (A Road Journal DVD) * ''Alchemy'' (SkipStone, 2010) * '' 50 Miniatures for Improvising Quintet'' (SkipStone, 2010) * ''Chamber Quintet'' (with Marcin Oles and

Bartlomiej Oles Bartlomiej Brat Oles (born 1973 in Sosnowiec, Poland) is a jazz and free improvisation drummer, composer and record producer. He is the twin brother of Marcin Oles and Art-director of the Polish independent Jazz Label Fenommedia. Career Bartlom ...

) * '' Bonebridge'' (SkipStone, 2011) * ''American Power'' (SkipStone, 2012) * '' Claws and Wings'' (SkipStone, 2013) * ''Nothing on Earth'' (SkipStone, 2014) * '' Nighthawks'' (SkipStone, 2014) * ''

Illuminations Illuminations may refer to: Shows and festivals * IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a nightly fireworks show currently at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort *'' IllumiNations'', original nightly firework show at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resor ...

'' (SkipStone, 2015) * '' Oscalypso'' (SkipStone, 2015) * ''

Rings Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...

'' (SkipStone, 2016) * ''Artemisia'' (with Throw A Glass) (SkipStone, 2018) With

* ''

Redbird Redbird, Redbirds, Red Bird or Red Birds may refer to: Bird * Redbird, another name for the northern cardinal * Redbird, another name for the summer tanager * Red bird of paradise, a near threatened species Mythological * An East Asian variant ...

'' (Tzadik, 1995) * '' Filmworks IV: S&M + More'' (Tzadik, 1997) * '' Filmworks VI: 1996'' (Tzadik, 1997) * '' Filmworks VIII: 1997'' (Tzadik, 1998) * '' Music for Children'' (Tzadik, 1998) * '' The String Quartets'' (Tzadik, 1999) * '' The Big Gundown: 15th Anniversary Special Edition'' (Tzadik, 2000) * '' Madness, Love and Mysticism'' (Tzadik, 2001) * '' Filmworks X: In the Mirror of Maya Deren'' (Tzadik, 2001) * '' Cobra: John Zorn's Game Pieces Volume 2'' (Tzadik, 2002) * '' Filmworks XII: Three Documentaries'' (Tzadik, 2002) * '' Filmworks XIII: Invitation to a Suicide'' (Tzadik, 2002) * '' Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse'' (Tzadik, 2008) * '' Filmworks XX: Sholem Aleichem'' (Tzadik, 2008) * ''

What Thou Wilt ''What Thou Wilt'' is an album of contemporary classical music composed by John Zorn and released in October 2010 on the Tzadik label. The opening concerto was composed in 1999, while the other two pieces date from 2005 and 2007.''What Thou Wilt' ...

'' (Tzadik, 2010) * '' The Concealed'' (Tzadik, 2012) * ''

Fragmentations, Prayers and Interjections ''Fragmentations, Prayers and Interjections'' is an album composed by John Zorn and featuring the Arcana Orchestra which was recorded in New York City in 2013 and released on the Tzadik label in March 2014.

'' (Tzadik, 2014) As a member of Bar Kokhba * 1998 ''

The Circle Maker ''The Circle Maker'' is a double album by John Zorn featuring Zorn's Masada compositions performed by the Masada String Trio (on Disc One: Issachar) and the Bar Kokhba Sextet (on Disc Two: Zevulun) which was released in 1998 on the Tzadik label. ...

'' (Tzadik) * 2005 '' 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 11'' (Tzadik) * 2008 '' Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10'' (Tzadik) As a member of Masada String Trio * 1998 ''

'' (Tzadik) * 2002 '' Filmworks XI: Secret Lives'' (Tzadik) * 2003 '' 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 1'' (Tzadik) * 2005 '' Azazel: Book of Angels Volume 2'' (Tzadik) * 2010 '' Haborym: Book of Angels Volume 16'' (Tzadik)

As sideman

With

* '' Life on a String'' (

Nonesuch __NOTOC__ Nonesuch may refer to: Plants * ''Lychnis chalcedonica'', a wildflower * ''Medicago lupulina'', a wildflower Places and structures *Nonesuch, Kentucky *Nonesuch Island, Bermuda *Nonesuch Mine, Michigan *Nonesuch Palace, mis-spelling of ...

, 2001) With

Cyro Baptista Cyro Baptista (born December 23, 1950) is a Brazilian percussionist in jazz and world music. He creates many of the percussion instruments he plays. Career Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Baptista arrived in the U.S. in 1980 with a scholarship to C ...

* ''

Beat the Donkey ''Beat the Donkey'' is an album by percussionist Cyro Baptista, which marked the debut of his rotating percussion and dance ensemble that would become known as Beat the Donkey, which was released on the Tzadik label in 2002.Banquet of the Spirits'' (Tzadik, 2008) * '' Infinito'' (Tzadik, 2009) With

Uri Caine Uri Caine (born June 8, 1956, Philadelphia, United States) is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer. Biography Early years The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, and poet Shulamith Wechter Caine, Caine began ...

* '' Wagner e Venezia'' (

Winter & Winter Winter & Winter is a record label in Munich, Germany that specializes in jazz, classical and improvised music. It was founded by Stefan Winter following the demise of his JMT Records label. Since 1997 Winter & Winter has released records by Da ...

, 1997) With

Nels Cline Nels Courtney Cline (born January 4, 1956) is an American guitarist and composer. He has been the guitarist for the band Wilco since 2004. In the 1980s he played jazz, often in collaboration with his twin brother Alex Cline, Alex, a percussionis ...

* '' Lovers'' (Blue Note, 2016) With

Sylvie Courvoisier Sylvie Courvoisier (born 30 November 1968) is a composer, pianist and improviser. Career Courvoisier, originally from Lausanne, Switzerland, has lived in Brooklyn, New York for years. She has led several groups over the years, recorded 10 albu ...

* '' Abaton'' (ECM, 2003) With Dave Douglas * '' Parallel Worlds'' (

Soul Note Black Saint and Soul Note are two affiliated Italian independent record labels. Since their conception in the 1970s, they have released albums from a variety of influential jazz musicians, particularly in the genre of free jazz. History Black S ...

, 1993) * ''

Five 5 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 5, five or number 5 may also refer to: * AD 5, the fifth year of the AD era * 5 BC, the fifth year before the AD era Literature * ''5'' (visual novel), a 2008 visual novel by Ram * ''5'' (comics), an awa ...

'' (Soul Note, 1996) * ''

Convergence Convergence may refer to: Arts and media Literature *''Convergence'' (book series), edited by Ruth Nanda Anshen *Convergence (comics), "Convergence" (comics), two separate story lines published by DC Comics: **A four-part crossover storyline that ...

'' (Soul Note, 1999) With Mark Feldman * ''

Book of Tells ''Book of Tells'' (subtitled ''Five Pieces for String Quartet'') is an album by violinist Mark Feldman which was released on the Enja label in 2001.

'' (Enja, 2001) With

Benny Golson Benny Golson (born January 25, 1929) is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He came to prominence with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, more as a writer than a performer, before launch ...

*''

One Day, Forever ''One Day, Forever'' is an album by saxophonist/composer Benny Golson that was recorded between 1996 and 2000 and released by the Arkadia Jazz label in 2001. Reception The AllMusic review by Ken Dryden said "Benny Golson has made many excellent ...

'' (Arkadia Jazz, 1999 001 With

Myra Melford Myra Melford (born January 5, 1957) is an American avant-garde jazz pianist and composer. A 2013 Guggenheim Fellow, Melford was described by the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' as an "explosive player, a virtuoso who shocks and soothes, and who can m ...

*'' The Same River, Twice'' (Gramavision, 1996) *'' Above Blue'' (Arabesque, 1999) With

Mike Patton Michael Allan Patton (born January 27, 1968) is an American singer, producer, film composer and voice actor, best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band Faith No More. Noted for his vocal proficiency, diverse singing techni ...

* ''

Pranzo Oltranzista ''Pranzo Oltranzista'' is Mike Patton's second solo project. It is subtitled "Musica da Tavola per Cinque" (literally translated as ''Banquet Piece for Five Players''), and is based on "Futurist Cookbook" by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, written in ...

'' (Tzadik, 1997) With

Jamie Saft Jamie Saft is an American keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist and composer. He was born in New York City, and studied at Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a private mu ...

* ''

A Bag of Shells A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

'' (Tzadik, 2010) With

Wadada Leo Smith Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith (born December 18, 1941) is an American trumpeter and composer, working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation. He was one of three finalists for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music for ''Ten Free ...

* ''

Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located entirely within Shiga Prefecture (west-central Honshu), northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto. Lake Biwa is an ancient lake, over 4 million years old. It is estimated to be the 13th ol ...

'' (Tzadik, 2004) With

Dar Williams Dorothy Snowden "Dar" Williams (born April 19, 1967) is an American pop folk singer-songwriter from Mount Kisco, New York. Hendrik Hertzberg of ''The New Yorker'' has described Williams as "one of America's very best singer-songwriters." She i ...

* ''

Mortal City ''Mortal City'' is Dar Williams' second album, released in January 1996 by Razor & Tie. The songs "As Cool as I Am" and "The Christians and the Pagans" were released as singles in 1996; the former was also accompanied by a music video. Unlike Wi ...

'' (

Razor & Tie Razor & Tie was an American entertainment company that consisted of a record label and a music publishing company. It was established in 1990 by Craig Balsam and Cliff Chenfeld. Based in New York City (with additional offices in Los Angeles an ...

, 1996)

Filmography

* '' Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Israelites'' (2003) * ''Spade'' (2014) * ''

Thoroughbreds The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are co ...

'' (2017) * '' Oh Lucy!'' (2017)

References

External links

Erik Friedlander official siteErik Friedlander on Brassland RecordsCryptogramophone homepage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friedlander, Erik 1960 births Living people Musicians from New York City Chamber jazz cellists Tzadik Records artists Avant-garde jazz cellists Plastic Ono Band members Columbia College (New York) alumni American jazz cellists Jazz musicians from New York (state)