Edward Simon rnamed Guggenheim Fellow
|
9/2/2010 12:03:25 PM - CAM Jazz Recording Artist Edward Simon
Named A Guggenheim Fellow
* * *
New Member of the SFJazz Collective
Guggenheim Fellow. International jazz artist Edward Simon was just awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in music composition. Often characterized as a "mid-career" award, Guggenheim Fellowships are intended for those who have already demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts.
A recording artist for the CAM Jazz recording label based in Rome, Italy, Simon is a composer and pianist originally from Venezuela who is based in Orange City, Florida.
Simon commented on his plans for the award:
I feel deeply honored by this award and plan to compose several works for strings. I'll begin with a series of string quartets and later expand into various combinations such as string quartet and piano, string quartet and jazz piano trio, and finally a work for piano and string orchestra. In my compositions, I endeavor to develop a sound that strikes a balance between the structural clarity of classical music and the moment-to-moment interaction of jazz. I revel in the hybrids resulting from the integration of ethnic rhythms, jazz harmony and improvisation. The music of Latin America, with its infectious rhythms, poetry and passion, is one of my greatest resources. It offers an ocean of possibilities both rhythmically and melodically. Thus this series of works will be based on rhythms and forms such as danzón, Venezuelan merengue, joropo, bolero and baiao. I'm presently seeking established string quartets to work with. Preference is given to ensembles who improvise, are looking to expand their musical vocabulary and repertoire and are open to influences such as jazz and world music.
Guggenheim Fellowships are grants made for a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months. The purpose of the Guggenheim Fellowship grant program is to help provide Fellows with blocks of time in which they can work with as much creative freedom as possible, grants are made freely. No special conditions are attached to them, and Fellows may spend their grant funds in any manner they deem necessary to their work.
CAM Jazz. Simon's most recent recording for CAM Jazz was 2009's Poesia which followed his acclaimed debut for the label, Unicity. Both featured his trio with Edward Simon, piano; John Patitucci on bass and Brian Blade on drums.
Agostino Campi, Managing Director, of CAM Jazz, noted, "We are privileged to have someone of Edward's artistic talent and emotional resonance recording for our label. We're thrilled for him that his considerable contributions to jazz and composition have been recognized by such an esteemed organization. We can't wait to hear what he creates!"
SFJAZZ. Simon recently became a member of the renowned SFJazz Collective, an all-star jazz ensemble comprising eight of the finest performer/composers at work in jazz today. Launched in 2004 by SFJAZZ - the West Coast's largest non-profit jazz institution and the presenter of the annual San Francisco Jazz Festival - the Collective has quickly become one of the most exciting and acclaimed groups on the American and international jazz scenes.
NPR. Simon will be heard this summer on NPR's Jazz Set radio program, which will broadcast the premiere performance of his "Sorrows and Triumphs" work.
|
| www.jf.org |