Onyx Collective

Onyx Collective is an experimental jazz group focusing on improvisation and collaboration, building a unique musical community in New York City. After founding in 2014, Onyx Collective, an experimental jazz group focused on improvisation and collaboration, swiftly established a unique musical community within New York City. The collective, spearheaded by saxophonist Isaiah Barr and drummer Austin Williamson, immediately expanded its reach by launching a show on KNOW-WAVE Radio in 2014, featuring dynamic live on-air jams. From its inception through 2020, Onyx Collective gained significant recognition for its innovative approach to public performance, presenting improvised music in non-traditional venues across Lower Manhattan, including clothing stores, barber shops, and gallery spaces.

A pivotal moment was their three-month NYXO residency in 2016 at 225 West Broadway in Tribeca, which successfully hosted a diverse range of musicians and performers, cementing their role as a platform for artistic collaboration. In the same year, the group released their debut album, ‘2nd Avenue Rundown,’ showcasing their distinctive sound, built around a fluid union of musicians, visual artists, and vocalists, with Austin Williamson, keyboardist Josh Benitez, and singer Julian Soto often forming the core. Following their acclaimed debut, Onyx Collective continued their prolific output with the ‘Lower East Suite’ series, releasing ‘Part 1’ and ‘Part 2’ in 2017, and concluding the trilogy with ‘Part 3’ in 2018. These albums frequently referenced iconic downtown Manhattan landmarks, embodying the group’s deep connection to the city’s urban environment.

Onyx Collective remains a vital and groundbreaking force in the experimental music landscape, consistently challenging traditional boundaries and upholding a reputation for spontaneous creation and accessible artistic expression, making them a highly marketable and influential collective.