Sabir Mateen

Starting off in rhythm & blues, Philadelphia-born Sabir Mateen has established himself as one of the most active members of the New York City avant-garde jazz scene. Mateen, who plays clarinet, flute, and alto and tenor saxophones, has played with the avant aristocracy (Cecil Taylor, Alan Silva) along with rising stars (Matthew Shipp, Steve Swell), as well as his own bands (Omni-Sound, Test, Mask). His saxophone style can fervently roar with the best of them, but he tempers it with a bop-like precision and tunefulness.