Chris Brown (experimental music)
Encyclopedia
Chris Brown is a composer
, pianist, and electronic musician, who creates music for acoustic instruments with interactive electronics, for computer networks, and for improvising ensembles.
, he moved to California to study electronic music with Gordon Mumma
and composition with William Brooks
at University of California, Santa Cruz
, and with David Rosenboom at Mills College
.
He was active early in his career as an inventor and builder of electroacoustic instruments; he has also performed widely as an improvisor and pianist with groups as "Room" and the "Glenn Spearman
Double Trio." In 1986 he co-founded the pioneering computer network music ensemble "The Hub". He is also known for his recorded performances of music by Henry Cowell
, Luc Ferrari
, and John Zorn
. He has received commissions from the Berkeley Symphony, the Rova Sexophone Quartet, the Abel-Steinberg-Winant Trio, the Gerbode Foundation, the Phonos Foundation and the Creative Work Fund. His recent music includes the poly-rhythm installation "Talking Drum", the "Inventions" series for computers and interactive performers, and the radio performance "Transmissions" series, with composer Guillermo Galindo.
His 1992 epic electroacoustic work "Lava", for brass, percussion, and electronics is also available on Tzadik Records
. He teaches Composition and Electronic Music at Mills College
in Oakland, where he is Co-Director of the Center for Contemporary Music (CCM).
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist, and electronic musician, who creates music for acoustic instruments with interactive electronics, for computer networks, and for improvising ensembles.
Biography
Born and raised in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, he moved to California to study electronic music with Gordon Mumma
Gordon Mumma
Gordon Mumma is an American composer. He cofounded Ann Arbor's Cooperative Studio for Electronic Music with Robert Ashley, was a musician with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and was a member of the Sonic Arts Union with Ashley, Alvin Lucier, and David Behrman...
and composition with William Brooks
William Brooks
William Brooks may refer to:* William Brooks of Blackburn , cotton supplier* Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, 1st Baronet , British lawyer and politician* William Edwin Brooks , Irish civil engineer and ornithologist...
at University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
, and with David Rosenboom at Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
.
He was active early in his career as an inventor and builder of electroacoustic instruments; he has also performed widely as an improvisor and pianist with groups as "Room" and the "Glenn Spearman
Glenn Spearman
Glenn Spearman was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was specifically associated with free jazz and experimental music....
Double Trio." In 1986 he co-founded the pioneering computer network music ensemble "The Hub". He is also known for his recorded performances of music by Henry Cowell
Henry Cowell
Henry Cowell was an American composer, music theorist, pianist, teacher, publisher, and impresario. His contribution to the world of music was summed up by Virgil Thomson, writing in the early 1950s:...
, Luc Ferrari
Luc Ferrari
Luc Ferrari was of an Italian heritage but French born composer, particularly noted for his tape music.-Biography:...
, and John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
. He has received commissions from the Berkeley Symphony, the Rova Sexophone Quartet, the Abel-Steinberg-Winant Trio, the Gerbode Foundation, the Phonos Foundation and the Creative Work Fund. His recent music includes the poly-rhythm installation "Talking Drum", the "Inventions" series for computers and interactive performers, and the radio performance "Transmissions" series, with composer Guillermo Galindo.
His 1992 epic electroacoustic work "Lava", for brass, percussion, and electronics is also available on Tzadik Records
Tzadik Records
Tzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
. He teaches Composition and Electronic Music at Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
in Oakland, where he is Co-Director of the Center for Contemporary Music (CCM).
Discography
- 1980 "Earwig" with instrument builder Tom Nunn, cassette released by Essential Recordings, 16mm film by Eric Marin.
- 1987 "Wayne Horvitz: This New Generation", original instruments performance, Elektra/Musician CDs, records, and tapes.
- 1989 "Snakecharmer" Live Electroacoustic Music by Chris Brown, Artifact Recordings, CD.
- 1989 "Room", Sound Aspects, CD.
- 1989 "The HubThe Hub (band)The Hub is an American "computer network music" ensemble consisting of John Bischoff, Tim Perkis, Chris Brown, Scot Gresham-Lancaster, Mark Trayle and Phil Stone....
: Computer Network Music" Artifact Recordings, CD. - 1991 "The Virtuoso in the Computer Age -- I: CDCM Computer Music Series, vol. 10", piano performance, Centaur Records, CD
- 1992 Room: "Hall of Mirrors", Music and Arts. CD.
- 1993 Glenn SpearmanGlenn SpearmanGlenn Spearman was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was specifically associated with free jazz and experimental music....
Double Trio: "Mystery Project", piano and electronics performance, Black SaintBlack Saint/Soul NoteBlack Saint and Soul Note are two affiliated Italian jazz independent record labels. Since their conception in the 1970s, they have released albums from a variety of influential jazz musicians, particularly in the genre of free jazz.-History:...
, CD. - 1994 "Music from the CCM at Mills CollegeMills CollegeMills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
: CDCM Computer Music Series, vol. 17", Centaur Records, CD. - 1994 Glenn SpearmanGlenn SpearmanGlenn Spearman was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was specifically associated with free jazz and experimental music....
Double Trio: "Smokehouse", piano performance, Black Saint, CD. - 1994 The HubThe Hub (band)The Hub is an American "computer network music" ensemble consisting of John Bischoff, Tim Perkis, Chris Brown, Scot Gresham-Lancaster, Mark Trayle and Phil Stone....
: "Wreckin' Ball", Computer Network Music, Artifact Recordings, CD. - 1995 "Conductions #11" by Butch Morris, original instruments performance, New World, CD.
- 1995 "In C" by Terry RileyTerry RileyTerrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
The 25th Anniversary Performance, keyboard performance, New Albion Records, CD. - 1995 "Lava" by Chris Brown, for brass, percussion and live electronics, TzadikTzadikTzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah...
, CD. - 1996 "Duets", by Chris Brown, with Tom Nunn, William WinantWilliam WinantWilliam Winant is an American percussionist.In addition to his work in contemporary classical music -- notably performing Lou Harrison's compositions—Winant has worked in a variety of genres, including noise rock, free improvisation and jazz. Notable collaborators include Glenn Spearman, Thurston...
, Ikue Mori, and Tom Djll, Artifact Recordings, CD. - 1996 Larry Ochs "The Secret Magritte", piano performance in ensemble including the Rova Saxophone Quartet, Marilyn Crispell, Barry Guy, Lisle Ellis, and William Winant, Black Saint, CD.
- 1997 RovaRova"Rova" can refer to:* Rova, a village in the Domžale Municipality in Slovenia;* The Rova Manjakamiadana, a royal palace complex in Antananarivo, former home of the monarchs of Madagascar;...
's 1995 Live Recording of John ColtraneJohn ColtraneJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
's "Ascension", piano performance in large ensemble including the Rova Saxophone Quartet, Black Saint, CD. - 1998 "Cellule 75", piano performance with William Winant, percussion of Luc Ferrari's composition, Tzadik CD.
- 1998 "Non Stop Flight", electronic performance with The HubThe Hub (band)The Hub is an American "computer network music" ensemble consisting of John Bischoff, Tim Perkis, Chris Brown, Scot Gresham-Lancaster, Mark Trayle and Phil Stone....
on this live recording by the Deep Listening BandDeep Listening BandThe Deep Listening Band was founded in 1988 by Pauline Oliveros, , Stuart Dempster, and Panaiotis...
, Music & Arts, CD. - 1999 "New Music: Piano Compositions by Henry Cowell", piano performances by Chris Brown, New Albion Records, CD.
- 1999 "Waves", composition and performance with Philip Gelb, shakuhachi on "between/waves", Sparkling Beatnik, CD.
- 1999 Glenn Spearman's "Blues for Falasha", piano performance with the Glenn Spearman Double Trio, Tzadik, CD.
- 2000 "Xu Feng", live electronics performance with a sextet of John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
’s compositions, Tzadik, CD. - 2001 "fuzzybunny", live electronic improvisations with the trio by the same name which also includes Tim PerkisTim PerkisTim Perkis is an experimental musician who works with live electronic and computer sound.He has founded or played in live computer network bands such as the...
and Scot Gresham-LancasterScot Gresham-LancasterScot Gresham-Lancaster is a composer, performer, instrument builder, educator and educational technology specialist with over three decades of professional experience. He is dedicated to research and performance using the expanding capabilities of computer networks to create new environments for...
, Sonore, CD. - 2001 "Oasis", opening track of a live computer music performance titled "knottyspine", on a compilation of music by composers from Mills College, including Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Pauline OliverosPauline OliverosPauline Oliveros is an American accordionist and composer who is a central figure in the development of post-war electronic art music....
, Maggi PayneMaggi PayneMaggi Payne is a composer, flutist, video artist, recording engineer/editor, and historical remastering engineer who creates electroacoustic, instrumental, and vocal works, and works involving visuals ....
, John Bischoff, and Alvin CurranAlvin CurranComposer Alvin Curran , is the co-founder, with Frederic Rzewski and Richard Teitelbaum, of Musica Elettronica Viva, and a former student of Elliott Carter. Curran's music often makes use of electronics and environmental found sounds....
, CD. - 2001 "Talking Drum", binaural recordings of live electronic installations, and location recordings of traditional music and environmental soundscapes, Sonore, CD.
- 2002 "Branches", recordings of "Invention#7", and "Alternating Currents", on Ecstatic Peace, LP.
- 2002 "Transmission Temescal", binaural recording of installation of 20 boomboxes and clock radios on the decks of the Artship, the Artship Recordings, disc 47.
- 2002 "Water", live electronics with Philip Gelb, shakuhachi, on "Visions: Performances form the EMIT series compilation CD.
- 2003 "Headlands - Natto Quartet", extended piano improvisations with Philip Gelb, shakuhachi; Shoko Hikage, koto; and Tim PerkisTim PerkisTim Perkis is an experimental musician who works with live electronic and computer sound.He has founded or played in live computer network bands such as the...
, electronics, on 482 Music, CD. - 2005 "Rogue Wave" , by Chris Brown electronic and acoustic compositions "Rogue Wave" , "Transmission Tenderloin" , "Retroscan" , "Flies" , "Cloudsteams/Bellwethers" and "Alternating Currents" . With Eddie Def , William Winant , Julie Steinberg etc...
- 2007 "Cutter Heads", Piano and Electronics; with Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, acoustic and electric guitar, Intakt Records, CD.
External links
- Official Website
- Golden, Barbara. “Conversation with Chris Brown.” eContact! 12.2 — Interviews (2) (April 2010). Montréal: CECCanadian Electroacoustic CommunityFounded in 1986, La Communauté électroacoustique canadienne / The Canadian Electroacoustic Community is Canada’s national electroacoustic / computer music / sonic arts organization and as such is dedicated to promoting this progressive art form in its broadest definition: from “pure” acousmatic...
. - Once Upon a Time in CA. A podcast, curated by Chris Brown for Ràdio Web MACBA documenting the experimental music on the West Coast in the 1980s.