Discussed in this essay:

John Zorn: Tradition and Transgression, by John Brackett. Indiana University Press. 218 pages. $24.95.

Arcana: Musicians on Music, edited by John Zorn. Granary Books/Hips Road. 380 pages. $34.95.

Arcana II: Musicians on Music, edited by John Zorn. Hips Road. 298 pages. $34.95.

Arcana III: Musicians on Music, edited by John Zorn. Hips Road. 250 pages. $34.95.

Saxophonist and composer John Zorn was found dead last night in his Manhattan apartment, a victim of his own success.

Zorn rode into town on a white horse, his yarmulke flapping in the breeze. He didn’t know why he came…