Craig Taborn is a pianist, keyboard and electronics player, chiefly in jazz. By the end of 2020, he had appeared on 14 albums as a leader or co-leader and more than 100 as a sideman.

As leader/co-leader

An asterisk (*) after the year indicates that it is the year of release.

Year recordedYear releasedTitleLabelNotes
19941994Craig Taborn TrioDIWTrio, with Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums)
20012001Light Made LighterThirsty EarTrio, with Chris Lightcap (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums)
20042004Junk MagicThirsty EarQuartet, with Aaron Stewart (tenor sax), Mat Maneri (viola), Dave King (drums)
20102011Avenging AngelECMSolo piano
20122013ChantsECMTrio, with Thomas Morgan (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums)
20152016Flaga: Book of Angels Volume 27TzadikTrio, with Christian McBride (bass), Tyshawn Sorey (drums) composed by John Zorn
20152017LjubljanaClean FeedDuo, co-led with Mats Gustafsson (slide sax, baritone sax)
20162017Daylight GhostsECMQuartet, with Chris Speed (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Chris Lightcap (bass), Dave King (drums)
20162018OctopusPyroclasticDuo, co-led with Kris Davis (piano)
20172017HighsmithTzadikDuo, co-led with Ikue Mori (electronics)
20172019Da'atTzadikSix tracks solo piano; two tracks duo, with Vadim Neselovskyi (piano); other tracks do not feature Taborn[1][2]
20182019The Transitory PoemsECMDuo, co-led with Vijay Iyer (piano)
20182019Golden Valley Is NowIntaktTrio, co-led with Reid Anderson (electric bass, electronics), Dave King (drums)[3]
2020*2020Compass ConfusionPyroclasticAs "Junk Magic"; quintet, with Chris Speed (tenor sax, clarinet), Mat Maneri (viola), Erik Fratzke (bass), Dave King (drums)[4]
20202021Shadow PlaysECMSolo piano; in concert
20222023hEARoesRogueartTrio, co-led with Joëlle Léandre (bass), Mat Maneri (viola); in concert[5]
20222024Weird of MouthOtherly LoveTrio, co-led with Mette Rasmussen (alto sax, percussion), Ches Smith (drums, percussion)[6][7]

As sideman

An asterisk (*) after the year indicates that it is the year of release.

Year recordedLeaderTitleLabelNotes
2005Lotte AnkerTriptychLeoTrio, with Gerald Cleaver (drums)
2005Lotte AnkerLive at the LoftILK MusicTrio, with Gerald Cleaver (drums); in concert
2008Lotte AnkerFloating IslandsILK MusicTrio, with Gerald Cleaver (drums); in concert[8]
2002*Art Ensemble of ChicagoSelected RecordingsECM
2014*Diego BarberTalesSunnysideDuo
2000Tim BerneSensitiveScrewgunTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums); in concert
2001Tim BerneThe Shell GameThirsty EarTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums)
2001Tim BerneScience FrictionScrewgunQuartet, with Marc Ducret (guitar), Tom Rainey (drums)
2003Tim BerneThe Sublime AndThirsty EarQuartet, with Marc Ducret (guitar), Tom Rainey (drums); in concert
2003Tim Berne+sizeScrewgunAs Science Friction; quintet, with Herb Robertson (trumpet), Marc Ducret (guitar), Tom Rainey (drums); in concert; released 2020[9]
2003–2004Tim BerneElectric and Acoustic Hard Cell LiveScrewgunTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums); in concert
2005Tim BerneFeignScrewgunTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums)
2007Tim BerneThe CosmosScrewgunTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums); in concert
2003David BinneyWelcome to LifeMythologySextet, with Chris Potter (tenor sax), Scott Colley (bass), Adam Rogers (guitar), Brian Blade (drums)
2006David BinneyCities and DesireCriss CrossQuintet, with Mark Turner (tenor sax), Thomas Morgan (bass), Dan Weiss (drums, tabla, vocals)
2006David BinneyOut of AirplanesBKWith Bill Frisell (guitar) Eiyvind Opsvik (bass), Kenny Wollesen (drums); Adam Rogers (guitar) added on some tracks
2009*David BinneyThird OccasionMythologyWith Scott Colley (bass), Brian Blade (drums), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Brad Mason (trumpet, flugelhorn), Corey King and Andy Hunter (trombone)
2011David BinneyGraylen EpicenterMythologyWith Chris Potter (tenor sax), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Wayne Krantz (guitar), Eivind Opsvik (bass), Brian Blade and Dan Weiss (drums), Kenny Wollesen (percussion, vibes), Roberto Boccato (percussion), Gretchen Parlato (vocals); Nina Geiger (vocals) added on one track
2012David BinneyLifted LandCriss CrossQuartet, with Eivind Opsvik (bass), Tyshawn Sorey (drums)
2012Jakob BroDecember SongLovelandQuintet, with Bill Frisell (guitars), Lee Konitz (alto sax), Thomas Morgan (bass)
2007Rob BrownCrown Trunk Root FunkAum FidelityQuartet, with William Parker (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums)
2010Rob BrownUnknown SkiesRogueArtTrio, with Nasheet Waits (drums); in concert
1993James CarterJC on the SetDIWQuartet, with Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums)
1994James CarterJurassic ClassicsDIWQuartet, with Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums)
1994James CarterThe Real Quiet StormAtlanticQuartets, with Dave Holland and Jaribu Shahid (bass; separately), Leon Parker and Tani Tabbal (drums; separately)
1996James CarterConversin' with the EldersAtlanticQuartet, with Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums)
1998James CarterIn Carterian FashionAtlanticTaborn plays with Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums), plus Cassius Richmond (alto sax), Dwight Adams (trumpet), Kevin Carter (guitar) on some tracks
2000Gerald CleaverAdjustFresh SoundSextet, with Andrew Bishop (clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax), Mat Maneri (violin), Ben Monder (guitar), Reid Anderson (electric bass, acoustic bass)
2008Gerald CleaverFarmers by NatureAUM FidelityAs the band "Farmers by Nature". Trio, with William Parker (bass)
2009Gerald CleaverBe It as I See ItFresh SoundAlso credited to "Uncle June"
2010Gerald CleaverOut of This World's DistortionsAUM FidelityAs the band "Farmers by Nature"
2011Gerald CleaverLove and GhostsAUM FidelityAs the band "Farmers by Nature"; in concert
2003*Steve ColemanLucidariumLabel BleuIncludes 19 musicians
2005Scott ColleyArchitect of the Silent MomentCam Jazz
2009Scott ColleyEmpireCam JazzQuintet, with Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Bill Frisell (electric guitar), Brian Blade (drums)
2016*Kris DavisDuopolyPyroclasticDuo
2002Dave DouglasFreak InRCA Bluebird
2002-2003Marty EhrlichLine on LovePalmettoWith Michael Formanek (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
2017*Amir ElSaffarNot TwoNew AmsterdamWith the Rivers of Sound ensemble: Ole Mathisen (tenor sax), Zafer Tawil (oud), Tareq Abboushi (buzuq), Carlo DeRosa (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums), Dena ElSaffar (violin), Naseem Alatrash (cello), George Ziadeh (oud, vocals), Mohamed Saleh (oboe), Fabrizio Cassol (alto sax), J. D. Parran (bass sax, clarinet), Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), Miles Okazaki (guitar), Rajna Swaminathan (mridangam), Tim Moore (dumbek, riqq)
2010Shane EndsleyThen the OtherLow ElectricalQuartet, with Matt Brewer (bass), Ted Poor (drums)
2009Michael FormanekThe Rub and Spare ChangeECMWith Tim Berne and Gerald Cleaver[10]
2009Michael FormanekOther ZonesCircular FileWith Tim Berne and Gerald Cleaver[10]
2011Michael FormanekSmall PlacesECMWith Tim Berne and Gerald Cleaver
2014Michael FormanekPre-ApocalypticOut Of Your Head RecordsWith Tim Berne and Gerald Cleaver
2007*Gang FontThe Gang Font Feat. InterloperThirsty Ear
2003*Ya Ya FornierBearcatRandom ChanceTaborn plays with David Murray (tenor sax), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums), Asson (percussion)
2004Drew Gress7 Black ButterfliesPremonitionQuintet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Tom Rainey (drums)
2004Drew GressThe Irrational NumbersPremonitionQuintet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Tom Rainey (drums)
2013*Drew GressThe Sky InsidePirouetQuintet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Tom Rainey (drums)
2010*Jonathon HaffnerLife on WednesdayCachumaWith Wayne Krantz (guitar), Eivind Opsvik (bass), Jochen Rueckert and Kenny Wollesen (drums)[8]
2012Dave HollandPrismDare2Quartet, with Kevin Eubanks (guitar), Eric Harland (drums)
2017Dave HollandUncharted TerritoriesDare2Quartet, with Evan Parker (tenor saxophone), Ches Smith (drums)
2001Susie IbarraSongbird SuiteTzadikTrio, with Jennifer Choi (violin)
2004Susie IbarraFolklorikoTzadikWith Jennifer Choi (violin), Roberto Rodriguez (percussion), Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet)
1999*Innerzone OrchestraProgrammedAstralwerks
2000*Bill LaswellDub Chamber 3ROIR
2007*Bill LaswellInamorataOhm ResistanceCredited to "Method of Defiance"; Taborn plays on one track
2016*Ingrid LaubrockSerpentinesIntaktWith Peter Evans (trumpet, piccolo trumpet), Miya Masaoka (koto), Sam Pluta (electronics), Dan Peck (tuba), Tyshawn Sorey (drums)
2011*Okkyung LeeNoisy Love SongsTzadikWith Ikue Mori (electronics), Satoshi Takeishi (percussion, electronics), Cornelius Dufallo (violin), Peter Evans (trumpet), John Hollenbeck (percussion), Christopher Tordini (bass)
2020*Steve LehmanThe People I LovePIQuartet
2008Chris LightcapDeluxeClean FeedWith Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Gerald Cleaver (drums); Andrew D'Angelo (alto sax) added on some tracks
2013Chris LightcapEpicenterClean FeedWith Chris Cheek and Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Gerald Cleaver (drums);
2020*Chris LightcapSuperBigmouthPyroclasticOctet, including Tony Malaby, Chris Cheek, Gerald Cleaver
2000Mat ManeriBlue DeccoThirsty EarQuartet, with William Parker (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums)
2001Mat ManeriSustainThirsty EarQuartet, with Joe McPhee (soprano sax), William Parker (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums)
2004Mat ManeriPentagonThirsty EarWith Ben Gerstein (trombone), Joe Maneri (piano, alto sax, vocals), Jamie Saft (mellotron), John Herbert (bass), John McLellan and Tom Rainey (drums), T.K. Ramakrishnan (mridangam), Sonia Maneri (vocals)
2005Meat Beat ManifestoAt the CenterThirsty EarWith Peter Gordon (flute), Jack Dangers (bass, bass flute, bass clarinet), David King (drums, percussion)
2010Nicole MitchellEmerald HillsRogueArtQuartet, with David Boykin (tenor sax), Chad Taylor (drums)
2014*Nicole MitchellThe Secret Escapades of Velvet AndersonRogueArtQuartet, with David Boykin (tenor sax), Chad Taylor (drums, guitar)
1997Roscoe MitchellNine to Get ReadyECMWith "The Note Factory" (including Matthew Shipp as second pianist)
2001Roscoe MitchellSong for My SisterPIWith Vijay Iyer (piano), Leon Dorsey and Jaribu Shahid (bass), Vincent Davis and Gerald Cleaver (drums), Spencer Barefield (guitar), Corey Wilkes (trumpet)
2004Roscoe MitchellComposition/Improvisation Nos. 1, 2 & 3ECMWith Evan Parker (tenor sax, soprano sax), Anders Svanoe (alto sax, baritone sax), Corey Wilkes (trumpet, flugelhorn), John Rangecroft (clarinet), Neil Metcalfe (flute), Nils Bultmann (viola), Philipp Wachsmann (violin), Marcio Mattos (cello), Barry Guy and Jaribu Shahid (bass), Paul Lytton and Tanni Tabbal (drums, percussion); in concert
2005Roscoe MitchellTurnRogueArtQuintet, with Corey Wilkes (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion), Jaribu Shahid (double bass, electric bass, percussion), Tani Tabbal (drums, percussion)
2007Roscoe MitchellFar SideECMWith "The Note Factory" (including Vijay Iyer as second pianist); in concert
2014*Roscoe MitchellConversations IWide HiveTrio, with Kikanju Baku (percussion)
2014*Roscoe MitchellConversations IIWide HiveTrio, with Kikanju Baku (percussion)
2015Roscoe MitchellBells for the South SideECM
2018–19Hafez ModirzadehFacetsPiDuo; other tracks feature other pianists[11]
1999*Francisco Mora CatlettWorld Trade MusicCommunity Projects
2005*Francisco Mora CatlettRiver DrumPremier Cru
2007Francisco Mora CatlettOuterzonePremier Cru
2010*Francisco Mora CatlettOuterzone 2010 Andromeda M-31AACE
2011Francisco Mora CatlettLive at the Bronx MuseumAACE
2017*Miles OkazakiTricksterPIQuartet, with Anthony Tidd (bass), Sean Rickman (drums)
2002Eivind OpsvikOverseasFresh SoundWith Jason Rigby (soprano sax, bass clarinet), Loren Stillman (alto sax), Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Wells Hanley and Jacob Sacks (piano), Gerald Cleaver and Jeff Davis (drums), Dan Weiss (percussion)
2004Eivind OpsvikOverseas IIFresh SoundWith Loren Stillman (alto sax), Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Jacob Sacks (piano), Jeff Davis and Kenny Wolleson (drums)
2020?Kassa OverallI Think I'm GoodBrownswoodWith various[12]
2023?Kassa OverallAnimalsWARPWith various[13]
2004Evan ParkerBoustrophedonECMBand includes Roscoe Mitchell; in concert
2012Evan ParkerRocket ScienceMore Is MoreQuartet, with Sam Pluta (laptop), Peter Evans (trumpet)
2013*Mario PavoneArc TrioPlayscapeTrio, with Gerald Cleaver (drums); in concert
2021Ivo PerelmanBrass and Ivory TalesFundacja SłuchajDuo; Taborn plays on one CD[14]
2005Chris PotterUndergroundSunnysideMost tracks quartet, with Wayne Krantz (guitar), Nate Smith (drums); two tracks quintet, with Adam Rogers (guitar) added
2007Chris PotterFollow the Red LineSunnysideQuartet, with Adam Rogers (guitar), Nate Smith (drums); in concert
2009Chris PotterUltrahangArtistShareQuartet, with Adam Rogers (guitar), Nate Smith (drums)
2011Chris PotterThe SirensECMQuintet, with David Virelles (prepared piano, celeste, harmonium), Larry Grenadier (bass), Eric Harland (drums)
2013Chris PotterImaginary CitiesECMSeptet plus string quartet; with Adam Rogers (guitar), Steve Nelson (vibraphone, marimba), Fima Ephron (bass guitar), Scott Colley (bass), Nate Smith (drums), Mark Feldman and Joyce Hammann (violin), Lois Martin (viola), Dave Eggar (cello)
2022Chris PotterGot the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village VanguardEditionQuartet, with Scott Colley (bass), Marcus Gilmore (drums)[15]
1999Hugh RaginAn Afternoon in HarlemJustin TimeWith David Murray (bass clarinet), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Bruce Cox and Andrew Cyrille (drums), Amiri Baraka (vocals)
2000Hugh RaginFanfare & FiestaJustin TimeWith Clark Terry (flugelhorn), Dontae Winslow (trumpet), James Zollar (trumpet), Omar Kabir (trumpet), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Bruce Cox (drums)
2001Hugh RaginFeel the SunshineJustin TimeWith Assif Tsahar (saxophone), Jaribu Shahid (bass), Tani Tabbal (drums)
2012*Mike ReedClean on the Corner482 MusicWith Greg Ward (alto sax), Tim Haldeman (tenor sax), Jason Roebke (bass); Josh Berman (cornet) added on some tracks. Also credited to "People, Places & Things"
2007Pete RobbinsDo the Hate Laugh ShimmyFresh Sound New Talent
2002*Roberto RodriguezEl Danzon de MoisesTzadikWith Peter Apfelbaum (soprano sax), Matt Darriau (trompeta china, clarinet, Mark Feldman (violin), Susie Ibarra (percussion), Brad Jones (bajo), David Krakauer (clarinet), Ted Reichman (accordion), Roberto Juan Rodriguez (percussion), Roberto Luis Rodriguez (trumpet), Marcus Rojas (baritone horn, tuba), Jane Scarpantoni (cello)
1997David RogersThe World Is Not Your HomeJumbleMostly sextet, with Marion Hayden (bass), Gerald Cleaver (drums, percussion), Mark Stone (xylophone, vibraphone, percussion), Derek Bermel (clarinet, xylophone, percussion)
2010Louis SclavisEldorado TrioClean FeedTrio, with Tom Rainey (drums)
2011Alex SipiaginDestinations UnknownCriss CrossSextet, with Chris Potter (tenor sax), David Binney (alto sax), Boris Kozlov (bass), Eric Harland (drums)
2015Ches SmithThe BellECMTrio, with Mat Maneri (viola)
2020Ches SmithInterpret It WellPyroclasticQuartet, with Bill Frisell (guitar), Mat Maneri (viola)[16][17]
2002–2004Wadada Leo SmithLake BiwaTzadikWith Wes Brown (bass), Jennifer Choi (violin), Anthony Coleman, Yuko Fujiyama and Jamie Saft (piano), Erik Friedlander (cello), Susie Ibarra, Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng and Gerald Cleaver (drums), John Lindberg (bass), Marc Ribot (guitar), Marcus Rojas (tuba), John Zorn (alto sax), orchestra
2018–2022Thomas StrønenRelationsECMTaborn plays on two tracks[18]
2001Assif TsaharEmbracing the VoidHopscotchWith Ori Kaplan (alto saxophone), Alex Harding (baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone), Oscar Noriega (bass clarinet, alto saxophone), Curtis Hasselbring, Reut Regev and Steve Swell (trombone), Antoine Brye, Matt Lavell and Taylor Ho Bynum (trumpet), Tom Abbs (bass), Andrew Barker (drums)
2005David TornPrezensECMQuartet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Tom Rainey (drums)
2006David TornSlipped On A BarScrewgunQuartet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Tom Rainey (drums)
2007David TornxFormScrewgunQuartet, with Tim Berne (alto sax), Tom Rainey (drums)
2019*David TornSun of GoldfingerECMWith Tim Berne, (alto sax), Ches Smith (drums, electronics, tanbou), Mike Baggetta and Ryan Ferreira (guitar), Scorchio Quartet
2017*(Various)The Passion of Charlie ParkerImpulse!
2018*Dan WeissStarebabyPiQuintet, with Matt Mitchell (piano, Prophet-6, modular synthesizers), Ben Monder (guitars), Trevor Dunn (electric bass)
2018Winged SerpentsSix Encomiums for Cecil TaylorTzadikSolo piano; each of five other pianists plays one solo piece[19]

Remixes

Year recordedTitleLabelNotes
2004*The Val-Inc. RemixesThirsty EarVal-Inc remixes of tracks from Junk Magic; quartet, with Aaron Stewart (tenor sax), Mat Maneri (viola), Dave King (drums)[20]

Sources:[21] and others.

References

  1. ^ Grillo, Tyran (January 2020). "Da'at: Craig Taborn/Vadim Neselovskyi (Tzadik)". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 213. p. 16.
  2. ^ "Craig Taborn and Vadim Neselovskyi: The Book Beri'ah Vol 11 – Da'at". tzadik.com. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Reid Anderson / Dave King / Craig Taborn: Golden Valley Is Now". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Junk Magic: Compass Confusion". AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Meyer, Bill (August 2023). "Expanded Arrays of Sound". DownBeat. Vol. 90, no. 8. p. 66.
  6. ^ Morton, Brian (December 2024). "Mette Rasmussen / Craig Taborn / Ches Smith: Weird of Mouth". DownBeat. Vol. 91, no. 12. p. 64.
  7. ^ "Weird of Mouth". bandcamp.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Greenland, Tom (February 2010). "Life on Wednesday: Jonathon Haffner (Cachuma)". AllAboutJazz: New York. No. 94. p. 27.
  9. ^ Aaron, S. Victor (December 31, 2020). "Tim Berne's Science Friction: 'Science Friction +size' (2020)". Something Else!. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  10. ^ Sharpe, John (November 2022). "Other Zones". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 247. p. 30.
  11. ^ Lutz, Phillip (May 2021). "Hafez Modirzadeh Reaches the Endline". DownBeat. Vol. 88, no. 5. p. 17.
  12. ^ Kalia, Ammar (March 2020). "Kassa Overall: I Think I'm Good". DownBeat. Vol. 87, no. 3. p. 48.
  13. ^ Dean-Harris, Anthony (August 2023). "Kassa Overall: Animals". DownBeat. Vol. 90, no. 8. p. 67.
  14. ^ Loewy, Steven (October 2022). "Boxed Set". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 246. p. 29.
  15. ^ Murph, John (April 2023). "Chris Potter – Got the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at The Village Vanguard". Down Beat. Vol. 90, no. 4. p. 45.
  16. ^ "Watch: Ches Smith 'Protect Your Home (Interpret It Well)'". The Wire. April 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Ches Smith @ Pyroclastic Records". Bandcamp. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Relations". ECM Records. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Grillo, Tyran (December 2018). "Six Encomiums for Cecil Taylor: Winged Serpents (Tzadik)". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 200. p. 30.
  20. ^ Chinen, Nate (1 June 2004). "Blue Shift". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  21. ^ Cook, Richard & Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. 9th ed. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.