
Mary Halvorson – Canis Major
Mary Halvorson is a Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer and recording artist for Nonesuch Records. Her distinctive sound and innovative approach to her instrument have earned her widespread recognition over the past two decades, including numerous best-of-the-year lists, a 2019 MacArthur Foundation fellowship and ‘Guitarist of the Year’ honors in the DownBeat Critics Poll for the past nine years. When not leading her own award-winning bands, she can be heard in a wide variety of creative partnerships and on more than 70 releases as a co-leader or sidewoman.
In June 2025 she released About Ghosts, her 16th recording as a bandleader and the latest from her flagship sextet, Amaryllis, the current ‘Group of the Year’ in the latest DownBeat Critics Poll. A handful of tracks include special guests Brian Settles and Immanuel Wilkins augmenting the core ensemble of Tomas Fujiwara, Adam O’Farrill, Jacob Garchik, Patrician Brennan, and Nick Dunston. She also headlined the fourth night of this summer’s Vision Festival with her newest group, Canis Major, featuring Dave Adewumi, Henry Fraser and Tomas Fujiwara.
“Mary Halvorson is the jazz guitarist of the moment,” declares Fred Kaplan in his review for TrackingAngle.com. “It is beyond time to herald [her] as a true and brilliant original. About Ghosts is a terrific album in every way.”
Mary Halvorson Website
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