Jon Hassell was an influential American trumpet player and composer known for pioneering the musical aesthetic known as "Fourth World," a style that blends various ethnic music traditions with modern electronic sounds and experimental jazz. Born on March 22, 1937, Hassell's early career included studies with Karlheinz Stockhausen and a collaboration with minimalist composer La Monte Young. His unique sound first gained wider recognition on his 1980 album "Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics," co-produced with Brian Eno, which seamlessly fused traditional world musics with ambient electronic.

Throughout his career, Hassell continued to develop his signature style, a sultry blend of electronic ambiance and digitally processed trumpet lines, which often carried an enigmatic and ethereal quality. Albums like "Listening To Pictures (Pentimento Volume One)" and "Seeing Through Sound (Pentimento Volume Two)" showcase Hassell's matured vision, a testament to his ongoing desire to blur the lines between global musical traditions and cutting-edge technology. In addition to his solo work, Hassell collaborated with artists across multiple genres, influencing a wide spectrum of music from modern classical to avant-garde jazz to mainstream pop. He left a lasting impact with his approach to melody, timbre, and atmospheric soundscapes before his passing on June 26, 2021.

Genres

Ambient

Drone

Fourth World

Jazz Trumpet

Minimalism

Tennessee Experimental

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Latest Release

the nothing of roselight (edit)

Jon Hassell

Single - Released May 7, 2021