Jack Vees Explained

Jack Vees (born 1955) is an American composer and bassist from Camden, New Jersey.[1]

Biography

Both a performer (electric bass[2] /guitar and electronics) and a composer, Vees has written music for his own ensemble, Chez Vees,[3] and for groups such as Ensemble Modern, California EAR Unit,[4] [5] and Zeitgeist (ensemble). He has collaborated with performers Ashley Bathgate, Libby Van Cleve,[6] Amy Knoles, Jeffrey Krieger, and Ben Verdery,[7] as well as various choreographers and video artists. Influences include Louis Andriessen, John Cage, George Crumb, Charles Ives, Erik Satie,[8] Joel Thome, and Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet).[9]

Vees holds an undergraduate degree from Glassboro State College and an M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts. Previous composition teachers include Louis Andriessen, Vinko Globokar, Stephen L. Mosko, Bernard Rands, and Morton Subotnick.

Vees currently resides in Guilford, Connecticut with his wife Libby Van Cleve. He was formerly the operations director and instructor of the Center of Studies in Music Technology at the Yale School of Music.[10]

Notable compositions

Solo (with or without electronics)

National Anthem (2000) for guitar and electronics[11]

Surf Music Again (1996) for guitar and electronics

Rocket Baby (1994) for electric cello and midi cellos

Apocrypha (1986) for oboe and electronic tape[12]

John Henry (1984) for bass guitar[13]

Small ensemble

Piano Trio (Hulk Smash!) (1994) for three players on two pianos[14]

Tattooed Barbie (1991) for 12-string guitar, oboe, and computer

Saints Before the Vanishing Point (1990) for small ensemble

Colorized Chaplin (1989) for electric guitar and harpsichord[15]

Child Bride (1988) for cello, electronics, and midi

Theatrical works / opera / multimedia

Feynman (2003-2005), chamber opera[16]

Piece for Composition (1987) for multimedia and percussion

Discography

2001: Ben Verdery – Soe-Pa. CD Baby.[17]

2000: The Restaurant Behind the Pier. Recommended Records.[18]

1998: Emergency Music. Composers Recordings, Inc.

1997: Surf Music Again. Composers Recordings, Inc.[19]

Publications

The Book on Bass Harmonics. Alfred Music Publishers. 1981.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tge. Turquoise Guitar Editions. 2016-03-26.
  2. News: The New Innovators Salute the Old. Tommasini. Anthony. 1996-09-09. The New York Times. 0362-4331. 2016-03-26.
  3. Web site: The Tuscaloosa News - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com. 2016-03-26.
  4. News: Music Reviews : California E.A.R. Unit at County Museum of Art. WAGER. GREGG. 1988-04-22. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 0458-3035. 2016-03-26.
  5. News: Music Reviews : Theatrical Program by the E.A.R. Unit. WAGER. GREGG. 1989-02-10. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 0458-3035. 2016-03-26.
  6. Web site: Oboe Unbound. Libby Van Cleve, oboist and author. 2016-03-26.
  7. Web site: Arts Global - Benjamin Verdery - Biography. sàrl. GlobalVision Communication sàrl & Lauriedesign. www.artsglobal.org. 2016-03-26.
  8. Web site: Repent Walpurgis : Jack Vees. www.palersproject.com. 2016-03-26.
  9. Web site: OHAM: Jack Vees Table of Contents Yale University Library. web.library.yale.edu. 2016-03-26.
  10. Web site: Center for Studies in Music Technology - Yale School of Music. Yale School of Music. en-US. 2016-03-26.
  11. Web site: All Hail Benjamin Verdery SFCV. www.sfcv.org. 2016-03-26.
  12. Madsen. Emily. 2010. Music for Oboe and Electronically Produced Sounds. University of Maryland Doctoral Degree Recital Program. March 26, 2016.
  13. Web site: Bang on a Can Marathon - R.A.P.P. Arts Center - 1988 - Bang on a Can. bangonacan.org. 2016-03-26.
  14. News: Flirting With Rock and Chamber Classics. WOODARD. JOSEF. 1997-04-11. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 0458-3035. 2016-03-26.
  15. Web site: Bang on a Can Marathon - New York Society for Ethical Culture - 1992 - Bang on a Can. bangonacan.org. 2016-03-26.
  16. News: Quantum Theory And Opera. Wise. Brian. 2005-06-19. The New York Times. 0362-4331. 2016-03-26.
  17. Web site: Musician Interviews & Biographies. www.guitarramagazine.com. 2016-03-26.
  18. Web site: Undercover Black Man: Bonus freebie: Jack Vees. Man. Undercover Black. 2008-12-18. Undercover Black Man. 2016-03-26.
  19. Web site: Recent Articles and Reviews. www.american-music.org. 2016-03-26.
  20. Web site: This Week in New Haven (February 4–10). Daily Nutmeg. 4 February 2013. 2016-03-26.

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