what’s new?
2010
A lot of writing, studying, and learning has been going on in the past few years. I'd been wanting to hold off on mentioning details until there's an official release, but here's what's been happening:
I've been working on a choral project - and talking with elder statesman of music, my friend, Roger Nelson, about possibly working with his phenomenal 12-voice choir, Canzonetta. We've rehearsed one piece I wrote. (And if I get my act together, perhaps we can do some more.) I've also studied some choral arranging (and twentieth-century harmony) with Donald Skirvin, who's my favorite composer in town. I'm hoping to work with Don some more - when I get back to work on the choral music. (He's impressive beyond belief!) Don has given my writing a new edge and vibrancy, for sure.
And I've begun studying some computer music with Stelios Manousakis - who's working on his PhD, and teaching, at the DXARTS program of UW. (Stelios is a genius, and one of my favorite people ever.) Still to be determined whether I have a knack for the computer side of things; I can tell how important and substantive it is, though. (So fascinating!) I'm massively enamored these days with: SuperCollider, Max Matthews, John Chowning, Julius Smith, Brian Eno - and all things/people in that realm. I'm realizing that I could study several hours a day for the rest of my life, and still have a lot more I'd feel is important to learn.
The world is good.
November 2006
Some very cool news: the John Wesley Harding Bumbershoot show from last year has just been released on DVD. I hadn't mentioned before, but there was a camera crew and sound engineer, recording both the show and the rehearsal. (I actually appear quite a bit in the bonus, rehearsal footage.) More info about my role in the project is listed further down this page. Here are the details about the release (which should be showing up in most record stores sometime in December):
[Starring: John Wesley Harding, Scott McCaughey, Kelly Hogan, Kurt Bloch, and Robyn Hitchcock as the narrator.]
Released by Arcanum, and distributed by Ryko
Official release date: November 21, 2006
As always, John Wesley Harding is a wonderful bloke, legendary musician, critically-acclaimed author, and it's a pleasure (to say the least) to be on an official release of his. I wrote 3 string arrangements, and co-wrote 1 more with John Wesley Harding, for this show. This is a pretty special event, as several rock, folk, singer songwriter legends take part: John Wesley Harding, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch, Kelly Hogan, and more.
Here's a link to the DVD on Wes' website:
http://www.johnwesleyharding.com/rspcjwh.html --
for those who wish to purchase it directly from the Royal Society!
And is there any non-John Wesley Harding news to report, you might ask? :-) Well, I am at work on new music right now, as well as working with many, many students. It's a nice time...
happenings in 2005
I'm so happy to finally be getting to update the site. A lot has been happening. This summer, I worked with John Wesley Harding, writing 4 string quartet arrangements for his show at Bumbershoot in Seattle. The show was quite an event of superstars, as it included JWH, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott McCaughey, Kurt Bloch, Jim Sangster, Mike Musburger, Kelly Hogan, and Roger Nelson. What an enormously talented, and very friendly, group of people! (I consider Wes, Robyn, Scott, and Kurt to be among the greatest songwriters of all time.) My backstage pass will surely be framed.
Here's a link to a page on Wes' (John Wesley Harding's) site with more details. I'm listed toward the bottom of the page, surrounded by spectacular musicians.
The show was part of Bumbershoot, and took place at The Bagley Wright Theater. I believe the venue was filled to capacity. It was, in fact, as I know 2 people who didn't get in. (All due to my universal lack of a cell phone.)
Many thanks to John Wesley Harding. He's every bit as fun, charming, intelligent, sincere, nice, and professional as one could be. Hearing Wes, singing and playing acoustic guitar -- with a string quartet playing string arrangements I wrote -- was a jaw-dropping experience... (One of the arrangements was co-written by Wes and myself.)
BTW, did I convey that I had a good time? :-)
September 2004
I've just been interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered.
Here is the web link. Click here to listen in RealAudio.
It's a neat segment; it's me talking about some of my favorite music.