Ever Present: Mary Halvorson—CANIS MAJOR

Mary Halvorson brings her new quartet project CANIS MAJOR to the Getty for an evening of fiercely imaginative ensemble music

One of the most distinctive and boundary-pushing musicians in contemporary jazz, guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson brings her new quartet project CANIS MAJOR to the Getty for an evening of fiercely imaginative ensemble music—angular, lyrical, and thrillingly unpredictable. A MacArthur Fellow, Halvorson is celebrated for her unmistakable sound: crystalline single-note lines that seem to “bend” time, kaleidoscopic harmonic turns, and an innovative use of effects—especially subtle pitch-shifting and delay—that expands the guitar into something orchestral and uncanny. In the past year, Halvorson has continued a remarkable streak of recognition, including JJA Jazz Award Guitarist of the Year (2024 and 2025), alongside a run of major critical acclaim for recent releases on Nonesuch Records, including Cloudward (2024) and About Ghosts (2025). With CANIS MAJOR—a band built for kinetic interplay and daring improvisational pivots—Halvorson leads an all-star group featuring Dave Adewumi (trumpet), Henry Fraser (bass), and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). Expect a live set that moves like a living organism: intricate compositions opening into flights of spontaneous invention, with moments of humor, eruption, and quiet shimmer—perfectly scaled to the Getty’s auditorium for deep listening and total immersion.

What to expect:
Performance / Live Art