Composer Spotlight
Brian Cobb
Campfire Songs: ...Progress...Rest...Continue
Wed., April 13 @ 7:30pm
Jack Straw Productions
4261 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle
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Composer Brian Cobb will discuss his 2008 Jack Straw artist residency project, Campfire Songs, recently released by Present Sounds Recordings. The origin of Campfire Songs emerged from the composer’s immense interest in the lure of the campfire, the American Frontier era, and the unique intimacy of Arnold Schoenberg’s chamber masterpiece Pierrot Lunaire. Combining the words of past and present American frontier poets and the untamed spirit of the American settlers, Cobb’s Campfire Songs circles the wagons for a night of poignant reflection and camaraderie along the unforgiving pioneer trail. This presentation will include sound examples of the work, a discussion of compositional decisions and issues, and pondering the ever-present attraction of the song cycle to composers of all eras.
Brian Cobb is an active composer, performer, and music educator who resides in Seattle, WA. Brian's diverse composition catalogue includes music for voice, wind ensemble, orchestra, dance, film, electronic media, and numerous chamber settings. Brian’s music has been published by Ludwin Music Co and has received awards and grants from ASCAP, the University of Washington, and Jack Straw Artist's Assistance Program. He has studied composition with Klaas de Vries, Salvatore Macchia, John Bavicchi, Diane Thome, Dennis Leclaire, Juan Pampin, and Robert HP Platz. Brian's music has been performed throughout the United States and the Netherlands. He has received music degrees from the University of Washington (DMA), University of Massachusetts (MM), and Berklee College of Music (BM). Brian is a Present Sounds Records recording artist and is a member of the Tom Baker Quartet, the Bill Smith Trio, the multi-disciplined Radiosonde, and the newly formed Crosstalk. Over the years Brian has performed with George Garzone, Bob Moses, Max Vax, Ron Bosse, Jeff Galindo, Aaron Goldberg, Tom Baker, and Matana Roberts. Brian is currently on faculty at Bellevue College where he teaches music composition & theory, music history & jazz performance.
Supporters
Jack Straw Productions gratefully acknowledges The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, 4Culture King County Lodging Tax Fund, Washington State Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, PONCHO, ArtsFund, Seattle Foundation, and individual contributors for their support of Jack Straw Artist Programs.