Zoid Ensemble

Daniel Jacobson developed a system for integrating electronics into jazz, contemporary and improvised music using the software Max/MSP. The ZoiD Ensemble is a 10 piece group formed to play music written for acoustic instruments with electronics, powered by fierce grooves and adventurous ensemble writing and improvising. Led by Daniel Jacobson, who previously played with Fuzzy Logic, Wicked Meal and Oldsquarelines, the Zoid Ensemble features saxophonists Cathal Roche and Nick Roth, pianist Justin Carrol, trombonist Colm O'Hara, drummer Matthew Jacobson and bassist Cormac O'Brien.

"There's much in Daniel Jacobson's ZoiD project to get you humming. The composer and producer has never shied away from trying on new hats (his CV is dotted with trilbys and panamas galore, including academic forays and outings with such acts as Oldsquarelines and The Kai Big Band) and this set of electronica-vs- jazz fix-ups adds to Jacobson's eclecticism. Seasoned veteran Irish jazzmen Tommy Halferty, Ronan Guilfoyle, Greg Felto, Michael Buckley, Sean Carpio and Mike Nielsen do battle with Jacobson's electronic implements, and the results are both intriguing and enjoyable. Jazz has always proved fertile ground for producers seeking to get a new mojo on, and Jacobson comes to the ring with a huge amount of respect for the sounds he's messing with. Picks of the bunch would be the wonderful future-bop realms of Jacobson vs Buckley or the riffing and nonchalant dub of Jacobson vs Guilfoyle." - The Irish Times