EZRA - Earth to EZRA (2024)

The album Earth to EZRA by the EZRA ensemble is a unique experimental fusion of progressive bluegrass and microtonal music. The sonic centerpiece of the project is a restored 1960s microtonal organ built by Robert Moog, which divides the octave into 31 equal intervals. Featuring a collaboration between string virtuosos and experimental synthesists, the record spans a stylistic range from acoustic ballads to surreal, otherworldly soundscapes. Conceptually, the album emphasizes collective exploration and human psychology, notably utilizing the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar to examine themes of interior versus exterior identity.

Jesse Jones - steel string, fretless, microtonal and classical guitars, vocals
Mark Stewart - xaphoon, chaladoo, daxophone, guitar, mandocello, percussion, vocals
Jacob Jolliff - mandolin and 13-tet guitar
Max Allard - 5-string banjo
Craig Butterfield - bass
Xak Bjerken - piano, toy piano and 31-tet Rothenberg Moog organ

Tracklist:
1-1 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Improv 1 [4:03]
1-2 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Kinesin [3:56]
1-3 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Hexal [5:29]
1-4 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Red Haired Laser Boy [3:24]
1-5 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Nostalgique [4:51]
1-6 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Mask [4:19]
1-7 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Improv 2 [1:51]
1-8 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Don't Wait Up [5:33]
1-9 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Impromptu [3:34]
1-10 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Improv 3 [4:30]
1-11 EZRA;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield - Awaiting [8:19]
1-12 EZRA;Jesse Jones;Jacob Jolliff;Max Allard;Craig Butterfield;Mark Stewart;Xak Bjerken - Fauxmenco [4:07]