Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1955

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Jerome Kitzke is a contemporary American composer known for his unique blend of classical, jazz, and Native American music. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1955, Kitzke grew up in a musical family and began playing piano at a young age. He later studied composition at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Manhattan School of Music. Kitzke's early works were heavily influenced by jazz and improvisation, but he soon began incorporating elements of Native American music into his compositions. This interest was sparked by his experiences living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he worked as a music teacher in the early 1980s. One of Kitzke's most notable works is "The Mad Coyote," a multimedia piece that combines music, dance, and spoken word. The piece tells the story of a Native American trickster figure, and features Kitzke's signature blend of classical and Native American music. Another notable work is "The Breath of Compassion," a piece for solo piano that was inspired by Kitzke's experiences working with Tibetan refugees in India. The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as plucking and strumming the piano strings, and its incorporation of Tibetan chanting. In addition to his work as a composer, Kitzke is also an accomplished performer. He has performed his own works as well as those of other composers at venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Throughout his career, Kitzke has been recognized for his contributions to contemporary music. He has received numerous awards and grants, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. He has also been commissioned to create works for a variety of ensembles and organizations, including the Kronos Quartet and the New York Philharmonic. Today, Kitzke continues to compose and perform music that blends classical, jazz, and Native American traditions. His work is characterized by its innovative use of extended techniques and its exploration of the intersection between different musical styles and cultures.

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