As a teen, John Zorn was particularly attracted to avant-garde and free jazz musicians. After learning to play the piano and the flute, he switched to alto saxophone. In the 1970s, the New Yorker mingled with a host of like-minded players dedicated to sonic exploration and improvisation. In 1985, he found a larger audience with The Big Gundown, an album dedicated to the music of Ennio Morricone. Ten years later, Zorn launched his own label, Tzadik Records, with the objective of promoting a broad spectrum of experimental music. Ever prolific and versatile, the artist has played with countless top flight musicians and fronted influential bands Naked City, Pain Killer and Masada. In 2010, Zorn planned on releasing 12 original recordings-one each month.