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Composer  

 

Jessie Montgomery is a contemporary classical music composer, violinist, and educator. She was born on May 7, 1981, in New York City, United States. Montgomery grew up in a musical family, where her mother was a pianist and her father was a jazz bassist. She started playing the violin at the age of four and was soon recognized as a prodigy. Montgomery attended the Juilliard School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance. Montgomery's early career was focused on performing as a violinist. She played with several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Sphinx Virtuosi. However, she soon realized that her true passion was composing music. Montgomery began studying composition with John Corigliano and Julia Wolfe at the Juilliard School, where she earned her Master of Music degree in composition. Montgomery's music is known for its blend of classical, jazz, and folk influences. She draws inspiration from her African American and Jewish heritage, as well as from the diverse musical traditions of New York City. Montgomery's compositions often feature complex rhythms, rich harmonies, and soaring melodies. Her music has been described as "vibrant," "energetic," and "evocative." Montgomery's first major composition was "Break Away," a string quartet that she wrote in 1999. The piece was inspired by the music of the African American string band tradition, and it features lively rhythms and intricate harmonies. "Break Away" was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and it helped establish Montgomery as a rising star in the classical music world. Montgomery's next major work was "Strum," a piece for string orchestra that she wrote in 2006. The piece was commissioned by the Sphinx Organization, a non-profit organization that supports young African American and Latino classical musicians. "Strum" features a lively, syncopated rhythm and a soaring melody that showcases the virtuosity of the string players. The piece has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, Montgomery wrote "Banner," a piece for string quartet that was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet. The piece was inspired by the American flag and features a series of variations on the "Star-Spangled Banner" melody. "Banner" is a powerful and emotional work that explores the complex history of the United States and its national symbols. Montgomery's most recent work is "Records from a Vanishing City," a multimedia piece that she wrote in 2020. The piece was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and was inspired by the changing landscape of New York City. "Records from a Vanishing City" features a combination of live music, recorded sounds, and video projections that create a vivid portrait of the city. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of technology and its evocative portrayal of urban life. In addition to her work as a composer, Montgomery is also an accomplished violinist and educator. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician around the world, and she has taught at several universities and music schools. Montgomery is also a co-founder of the Sphinx Organization, which has helped to promote diversity and inclusion in classical music. Montgomery's music has been recognized with several awards and honors.

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