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United States Onyx Collective is an experimental jazz group focusing on improvisation and collaboration, building a unique musical community in New York City.
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Request A ShowOnyx Collective collaborated with Kelsey Lu, an English songwriter, producer and performer, and discussed their upcoming album and merchandise collection.
The Hollywood studio launched Onyx Collective as a content brand for creators of color and underrepresented voices, with content primarily hosted on Hulu in the US.
Onyx Collective built relationships with artists, including performing with English songwriter, producer and performer, through the Know-Wave community.
OWN, Onyx Collective, and Hulu announced a partnership to simultaneously premiere the original docuseries 'The Hair Tales'.
NYXO Records, in collaboration with Anthology Film Archives, NYC, presented 'SELECTED SYNONYMS', including 'LIFE IN DEBT' directed by Daniel Regan and scored by 22 Note.
Onyx Collective acquired two new projects, including one from Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media, as well as a highly anticipated documentary.
Onyx Collective discussed spearheading New York's avant-jazz scene in an interview featured in Issue 17 of Highsnobiety Magazine.
Onyx Collective partnered with Searchlight Pictures on the film 'Summer of Soul', which received new attention.
Onyx Collective was founded in 2014 by saxophonist Isaiah Barr and drummer Austin Williamson. Both New York City natives, Barr and Williamson met in high school and were mentored by saxophonist Roy Nathanson. The group’s beginnings are rooted in jazz, but it has evolved into a fluid union of musicians, visual artists, and vocalists. The number of performers on stage can vary significantly, though Austin Williamson, keyboardist Josh Benitez, and singer Julian Soto form a core. Barr’s initial goal for Onyx Collective was to create a platform for artists to collaborate without traditional rules or restrictions, fostering a community spirit. The group also aimed to address the scarcity of artistic expression spaces in New York City.
From 2014 to 2020, Onyx Collective became recognized for their approach to public performance, presenting improvised music in non-traditional venues across Lower Manhattan, such as clothing stores, barber shops, and gallery spaces. This included a three-month residency called NYXO in 2016 at 225 West Broadway in Tribeca, which hosted a diverse range of musicians. Their music often incorporates elements of the New York jazz tradition, with influences from artists like Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, while their live shows are characterized by a dynamic and varied sound that adapts to the collective expertise of the musicians present. Onyx Collective draws inspiration from the sounds and environment of the Lower East Side, where Barr grew up and from which the group’s name was derived, referencing a prewar block where his uncle, David Barr, resided for many years.
The group’s albums frequently reference downtown Manhattan landmarks, such as in their ‘Lower East Suite’ series. Onyx Collective’s creative output emphasizes a rule-breaking, improvisational approach, embracing the idea that sound is an elastic medium where even unconventional noises can be incorporated into their art. They have worked with a wide array of vocalists, pianists, bassists, drummers, and guitarists, and have contributed to the albums of other artists while also touring as a backing band. Their work extends into the visual art scene, having contributed to exhibitions at institutions like The Whitney and The Guggenheim, further cementing their interdisciplinary approach to music and art.
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