Though you may not recognize the name, Colin Stetson has played with everyone from the African legend Angelique Kidjo to Tom Waits, Arcade Fire and TV on the Radio.

Though the roster of projects is quite impressive, Stetson is an equally astounding solo performer. You can confirm this yourself by listening to his latest offering on Constellation records, New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges, releasing late February 2011. Recorded live in Montreal’s Hotel2Tango studio with no overdubbing or looping, guests on the record include the inimitable Laurie Anderson and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden.

Stetson uses all kinds of techniques that probably mean nothing to lay people like us (or at least me). He’s got tricks up his reeds including circular breathing, arpeggiated swirls, singing through the reed of his horn and amazingly, not fainting while doing all this heavy breathwork. In other words, it all sounds hella good and pretty damn impossible.

Whatever you may think you know about jazz will forever be open to reinterpretation and that’s a gift Stetson possesses. He has an ability to defy categorization. Stetson’s originality and forward thinking talent is iconoclastic and refreshing.

Catch Stetson with his bands Sway Machinery and Bell Orchestre or touring with Bon Iver throughout 2011. All the latest here: http://www.colinstetson.com