Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1935 in Tyler, TX

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerald Busby is an American composer who was born on January 23, 1935, in Wichita Falls, Texas. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a pianist and his father a singer. Busby started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied music composition and theory. After completing his studies, Busby moved to New York City in 1960 to pursue a career in music. He worked as a pianist and composer for dance companies, including the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Busby's music for dance was highly praised for its rhythmic complexity and emotional depth. In 1976, Busby composed his first opera, "The Circuit," which was based on a short story by Tennessee Williams. The opera premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and received critical acclaim. Busby's music was noted for its use of unconventional instruments, such as the accordion and the banjo, and its incorporation of folk and popular music styles. Busby continued to compose music for dance and opera throughout his career. In 1980, he composed the music for the film "Nenette," which was directed by Nicolas Philibert. The film was a documentary about a 40-year-old orangutan living in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. Busby's music for the film was praised for its haunting and evocative quality. In 1991, Busby composed the music for the play "The Ride Down Mt. Morgan" by Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway and starred Patrick Stewart. Busby's music was noted for its use of jazz and blues elements, which complemented the play's themes of love, betrayal, and mortality. In 2005, Busby composed the music for the documentary "The Cats of Mirikitani," which was directed by Linda Hattendorf. The film was about a homeless Japanese-American artist named Jimmy Mirikitani, who lived on the streets of New York City. Busby's music for the film was praised for its sensitivity and emotional depth. Busby's music has been performed by numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Kronos Quartet. His compositions have been praised for their originality, emotional depth, and use of unconventional instruments and musical styles. In addition to his work as a composer, Busby has also been a teacher and mentor to many young musicians. He has taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center. Busby's students have gone on to have successful careers in music composition and performance. Throughout his career, Busby has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2015, he was awarded the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award, which is given to composers who have made significant contributions to American music. Busby's music continues to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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