Mary Halvorson

Mary Halvorson
Halvorson with Anti-House, Jazzclub Unterfahrt, Munich, Germany, January 2011
Background information
Born (1980-10-16) October 16, 1980
Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresFree jazz, Free improvisation avant-garde jazz, experimental flamenco, psychedelia
Occupation(s)Composer, musician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active2002–present
LabelsFirehouse 12, Thirsty Ear, Cuneiform, Nonesuch
Websitewww.maryhalvorson.com

Mary Halvorson (born October 16, 1980) is an American avant-garde jazz composer and guitarist from Brookline, Massachusetts.

Among her many collaborations, she has: led a trio with John Hébert and Ches Smith, and a quintet with the addition of Jon Irabagon and Jonathan Finlayson; recorded duo albums with violist Jessica Pavone; and recorded several albums with bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Tomas Fujiwara under the band name Thumbscrew.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019 Halvorson won Best Guitar in DownBeat's International Critics Poll. In 2019, she was awarded a MacArthur "Genius" Grant for music.

Halvorson is on faculty at the School of Jazz (The New School).