Jason Ajemian

The composer/musician Jason Ajemian has adeptly grafted the aesthetics of the mundane into his compositions via innovative arrangements and methodical writing experiments. His works conflate interchanging atmospheres of comfort and struggle.

Ajemian’s distinctive approach has in large part been cultivated over the last several years in Chicago where he continues to be a highly audible voice in the avante garde music scene. There he initiated a concert series and regular weekly audio visual experiments at local venues like Heaven Gallery (Protest Heaven), Rodan (with his band A Cushicle) and The Skylark. Developing these venues into fertile grounds for other mavericks as well as his own ever evolving projects and experiments: Who Cares How Long You Sink, Lay All Over It, Playing You To Sleep, and Daydream Full Lifestyles with Chad Taylor,Tony Malaby, and Rob Mazurek– to name a few.

He is a member of Born Heller with Josephine Foster, The Chicago Underground Trio, Mandarin Movie, Dragons 1976, and Ken Vandermark’s Crisis Ensemble. He also regularly played with such innovators as Scott Tuma (Sold American), Rob Mazurek (Isotope 217), Josephine Foster, Jeff Parker (Tortoise), and Nori Tanaka.

His latest album, The Art of Dying is released on Delmark records.

“Music has an awesome power that even in its laziness and tranquility; it exudes this awesome, life-affirming power. Stop me now, if I’m starting to sound like one of those TV spinsters, but it’s the truth. Having heard a piece of music that is breathtaking, I immediately stop whatever it is that I’m doing and take note. I’m all ears. It’s just me and the sounds coming out of those speakers. Jason Ajemian’s new record is one such release. Compositions he pens are works of real beauty.”
~ Tom Sekowski, Gaz-Eta Mag

"What We Like - Ajemian and his cohorts play everything just right, from sumptuous balladry to restless, angular workouts that stretch madly toward the outer limits."
~ David Pulizzi, JAZZIZ

"Bassist Jason Ajemian wields his instrument like a Swiss Army knife, comfortably sawing, bowing, and slapping throughout each hypnotic piece -- “Pansies, Will You Ever Grow?” features some truly nightmarish harmonics."
~ James Christopher Monger, All Music

"Guide Ajemian has offered a different view while also producing a quite viable musical concept, and an excellent listening experience for those of us fortunate to be alive."
~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

“Bassist and Composer Jason Ajemian is one of the most mercurial players on the local improvised-music scene, given to taking wild creative leaps without worrying much about whether he can make it to the other side. In part because he’s so hard to pin down, he hasn’t earned the reputation he deserves—despite being a pillar of freejazz combos like Triage, Mandarin Movie, and Dragons 1976” ~ Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader

“Ajemian plays his upright with focused drive and an exploratory edge, bowing with lyrical finesse one minute, looping his pizzicato phrases through distortion pedals the next.”
~ Troy Collins, All About Jazz

“an undeniably exciting piece of music,” ~ Zach Baron, Village Voice