Michael William Gilbert
| Michael William Gilbert | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1954 |
| Origin | New York, New York, United States |
| Genres |
Electronic music World Music Avant-garde rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Computer Research Analyst |
| Instruments |
Synthesizer Percussion Flute Guitar |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Gibex Recordings Palace of Lights |
| Website |
Michael William Gilbert website SoundCloud: Michael William Gilbert |
Michael William Gilbert (born August 17, 1954) is an American music composer working in the genres of electronic music and world music.
Michael William Gilbert grew up in Connecticut and Brussels, Belgium. While living in Europe he first encountered the music of Varese and Pierre Henry, as well as the music of India, Africa, and Japan. After studying electrical engineering at MIT, he continued studies in music at the Boston School of Electronic Music, later working there as a teacher and designer of custom synthesis systems. He studied and graduated with a degree in music from Hampshire College. Shortly thereafter he became the technical director of the electronic music studios at Amherst College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. He has taught electronic music composition at the University of Massachusetts and Holyoke Community College.
MW Gilbert has been composing and recording actively since the 1970s. In 1978 he released his first LP recording, "Moving Pictures", on the GIBEX label. "Moving Pictures" is a big step towards humanizing electronic music, with prominent use of wooden flutes, percussion, and voice to complement the synthesized textures of the compositions. "The Call" (1980), his second LP, is a more mature realization of that goal. The album concept grew out of a desire to set jazz influenced solo parts against a background of drone, percussion, and soundscape evoking aspects of Eastern music. "The Call" marks MW Gilbert's first collaboration with multiwind and reed player Tim Moran, avantgarde percussionist/vocalist David Moss, and bassist Salvatore Macchia. The LP, "In the Dreamtime" (1982), followed on the Palace of Lights label, and is a clear refinement of work begun on the first two records. This album uses the theme of dream imagery, exploring and merging the distinctions between electronics, new jazz, and world music, and also features collaborations with Moran, Moss, and Macchia, and additional guest players.
Two early releases on compact disc followed, "Light in the Clouds" (1987) and "Point of Views" (1988). A collaboration with master percussionist Tony Vacca, acoustic bassist Salvatore Macchia, and synthesist Roy Finch, "The Light in the Clouds" brings together African, Jewish, Christian, and Shinto musical traditions and melds them with crystal clear sounds and rhythms."Point of Views" is a stunning solo recording realized entirely within his MIDI (then new) based studio, weaving elements of jazz, world, electronic and new music into "an ethereal and beautiful blend!" "Point of Views" received 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine; it successfully creates the sound of an ensemble of players yet is a purely solo work, with a collaboration by Tony Vacca on one track. MW Gilbert signed a recording contract with Penta Disc Recordings (WEA) for releases in Canada of music from this repertoire, and new compositions.
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Wikipedia