Marc Ayza

Marc Ayza: Offering

by Mark F. Turner
December 11, 2008

Marc Ayza accomplishes a task that many have attempted with uneven results: artfully combining jazz and hip hop. The two idioms have had countless encounters, sometimes subtly cross-pollinating ideas as with Kahil El'Zabar's Infinity Orchestra on Transmigration (Delmark, 2007), or more overt works including Marcus Strickland's Open Reel Deck (Strick Muzik, 2007), and Bird Up! The Charlie Parker Remix Project (Savoy, 2003). Ayza gigs on both sides of the street. The Spain-based drummer/composer's dexterous traps have been ...