Nick Mazzarella (b.1984) is an alto saxophonist and composer living in Chicago. While completing his formal music education at DePaul University (B.M. 2006, M.M. 2009), he became an active member of the vibrant free jazz and improvised music scene in Chicago, performing regularly with his own groups and with projects led by his peers. At about ten (or more) years younger than the primary group of musicians who have been responsible for the cultivation and development of Chicago's free scene over the last decade or so, Mazzarella is one of the first musicians of the next generation of that lineage to emerge as a contributor to the ongoing success of the community.
Mazzarella's particular musical sensibility combines free melodic inventiveness with sensitive harmonic perception, and instrumental fluidity with the imperative to think compositionally in all creative situations. His alto saxophone sound, his improvising, and his compositional style are equally recognizable, and together form a complete and unique musical statement.
Musicians with whom Nick Mazzarella has performed and/or recorded include: Anton Hatwich, Dan Delorenzo, Dylan Ryan, Frank Rosaly, Jason Adasiewicz, Jason Roebke, Jason Stein, Joe Adamik, Josh Abrams, Josh Berman, Marc Riordan, Mike Reed, Mikel Avery, Nate Lepine, Nicholas Gajewski, Tim Daisy, and Tomeka Reid.
In addition to playing and recording music, Mazzarella also helps organize and curate the Ratchet Series in residence at the Skylark in Chicago. This weekly series features creative new music from throughout the city.
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