On a steep hill north of New York City, three instrumentalists came together to live-compose State Fête (Adhyaropa Records – January 2026) – a new album, upcoming tour, and an ethos that celebrates the lyrical, the textural, the evil, and the funky. Using drums, homemade percussion (from bamboo to plastic waste), guitars, a unique reedless saxophone, and modified electric piano they conjure something both joyous and chaotican experience not unlike a one's first trip to the state fair.

 

Billy Martin (aka Illy B) a founding member of Medeski, Martin and Wood, has played with John Lurie's Lounge Lizards, John Zorn's Cobra ensembles and countless other uncompromising groups. He pursues diverse musical contexts relentlessly, exploring, free improvisation, chamber compositions, and film scores. Billy is also prolific with new instrument design, film-making, and visual art.

 

Matt Glassmeyer crafts innovative sounds in Slow Accordion with Oliver Wood (Nashville), Hompulon (Brooklyn: Brian Drye, Tim Keiper, Dana Lyn, Tom Spiker) and Live Band with Nashville session creatives. He also has a long-standing duo with Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers. Matt is the inventor of the reedless saxophone, the shuitar, and a new approach to the electric piano.

 

Jonathan Goldberger's singular approach to guitar, described as “McLaughlin-meets-ambient” in Downbeat Magazine, is featured in Selcouth Quartet (with Joe Russo), John Zorn, Red Baraat, and other progressive groups. He leads the acoustic collective Surface to Air and Visitors (with JP Schlegelmilch and Jim Black), one of Rolling Stone’s 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2018.