Shawn Lovato - bass
Ingrid Laubrock - tenor saxophone
Henry Mermer - drums
“Adventurous listeners will find a lot to enjoy in Lovato's forward-thinking music.” – Troy Dostert, All About Jazz
On his first two releases as a leader, bassist/composer Shawn Lovato revealed the wide-lens ambition of his compositional voice. His 2017 debut, Cycles of Animation (Skirl), featured an invigorating set of music for quintet that blurred the lines between jazz, chamber music and punk rock. He followed that in 2022 with the even more intricate Microcosms, a suite commissioned by new music ensemble Hotel Elefant that paired that group’s members with a slate of intrepid improvisers.
Lovato scales down his ensemble but not his imaginative scope for his third album, Biotic. Released on February 13, 2026 via Endectomorph, Biotic debuts a new trio with Lovato, tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Henry Mermer. While the pared-down context intersects with the legacy of the chordless tenor trio, Lovato reimagines the group as a vehicle for spacious yet rigorous compositions, laser-focused improvisation, and a visceral romanticism born of his formative love of the impassioned fervor of punk rock.
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SHAWN LOVATO
Shawn Lovato is a New York-based bassist, composer, and improviser “with a distinctive compositional approach and a knack for finding the right partners to bring it to life” (All About Jazz). Growing up on the outskirts of New York City, Lovato was deeply influenced by its underground scenes, including hip hop, metal, and punk rock. These early fringe influences continue to shape his dedication to a wide range of musical approaches—taking him from CBGB to The Stone to Lincoln Center. As a bandleader, Lovato’s albums Microcosms (ears&eyes, 2022) and Cycles of Animation (Skirl, 2017) display a breathtaking spectrum that push the frameworks of contemporary improvisation. Shawn’s records have been described as “absolutely stunning” (Jazz Trail) and “profound” (Jazz Word). In addition to leading his own projects, Lovato has performed alongside Ingrid Laubrock, Tony Malaby, Tom Rainey, Anna Webber, Jacob Sacks, DoYeon Kim, Brandon Seabrook, and others, and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Hofstra University.
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The Jazz Gallery is a not-for-profit arts organization presenting emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks, and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. We provide a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
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