Birth

:

1975 in Schenectady, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Gregg August is a renowned double bassist, composer, and arranger in the world of classical music. He was born on December 23, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Gregg started playing the piano at the age of five, but he switched to the double bass when he was 13 years old. Gregg attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with renowned bassist Homer Mensch. He also studied composition with Ludmila Ulehla and David Noon. After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, Gregg continued his studies at the Juilliard School, where he studied with bassist Eugene Levinson. In 1994, Gregg joined the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a renowned conductorless ensemble based in New York City. He has been a member of the orchestra ever since, and he has performed with them in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Sydney Opera House. In addition to his work with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Gregg has also performed with many other orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has also performed with jazz musicians such as Paquito D'Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. As a composer and arranger, Gregg has written music for a variety of ensembles, including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He has also written music for film and television, including the theme music for the PBS series "American Masters." Gregg's compositions have been performed by many renowned musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Joshua Bell, and pianist Emanuel Ax. His music has been praised for its "lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic sophistication." In 2009, Gregg released his debut album as a bandleader, "One Peace." The album features his original compositions and arrangements, and it received critical acclaim. The New York Times called it "a striking debut," and JazzTimes called it "a triumph of composition and performance." In addition to his work as a musician, Gregg is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He has also conducted masterclasses and workshops around the world. Throughout his career, Gregg has received many awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2000, he was awarded the ASCAP Foundation Young Composer Award. In 2005, he received the Aaron Copland Award from the Copland House. In 2010, he was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Gregg August is a true master of his craft, and his contributions to the world of classical music have been significant. His virtuosic playing, innovative compositions, and dedication to education have made him a beloved figure in the world of music.

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