Preview: Thomas Avino on learning sax from John Zorn

In his early twenties, composer and painter Thomas Avino took lessons in saxophone -- and life -- from the legendary John Zorn. A pivotal figure in New York's downtown music scene of the 1970s and '80s, Zorn was intimidating to some -- but to Avino, he offered $10 lessons that transcended music and continue to shape him today.

 

Zorn photo by Nick Ruechel