Role

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Composer

Birth

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October 26, 1978 in New York City, NY

 

Tyondai Braxton is a contemporary classical music composer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was born on October 26, 1978, in New York City, New York, to parents who were both musicians. His father, Anthony Braxton, is a renowned jazz saxophonist and composer, while his mother, Miriam Braxton, is a singer and composer. Growing up in a musical family, Braxton was exposed to a wide range of musical styles and instruments from an early age. He began playing the guitar and drums as a child and later learned to play the piano and other instruments. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition and electronic music. After high school, Braxton attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied composition and performance. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in electronic music and composition from the Mills College in Oakland, California. Braxton's early works were heavily influenced by his father's avant-garde jazz compositions and the experimental electronic music of artists like Aphex Twin and Autechre. He began performing as a solo artist and with various bands, including Battles, a math rock band that he co-founded in 2002. In 2005, Braxton released his debut solo album, "History That Has No Effect," which featured a mix of electronic and acoustic instruments and drew comparisons to the work of composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The album received critical acclaim and established Braxton as a rising star in the contemporary classical music scene. Over the next several years, Braxton continued to release solo albums and collaborate with other musicians and artists. He composed music for dance performances, art installations, and film soundtracks, and his work was featured in numerous festivals and exhibitions around the world. One of Braxton's most notable works is "Central Market," a six-movement composition for orchestra and electronics that he composed in 2008. The piece was commissioned by the Wordless Music Orchestra and premiered at the Lincoln Center in New York City. "Central Market" features a mix of acoustic and electronic instruments and draws on a wide range of musical influences, including classical, jazz, and rock. In addition to his work as a composer, Braxton is also a skilled performer and has toured extensively as a solo artist and with Battles. He is known for his energetic and dynamic live performances, which often feature complex rhythms and intricate electronic textures. Braxton's music is characterized by its innovative use of technology and its blending of acoustic and electronic instruments. He is known for his ability to create complex and intricate compositions that are both challenging and accessible to audiences. In recent years, Braxton has continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music with his innovative compositions and performances. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians, including the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the visual artist Matthew Ritchie. Braxton's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a United States Artists Fellowship. He has also been commissioned to create works for a variety of prestigious institutions, including the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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