Birth

:

April 4, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

March 4, 2021

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Barbara Ess was a renowned American musician, composer, and photographer who was born on January 8, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in a family of musicians and artists, which greatly influenced her passion for music and the arts. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a painter. Ess started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and other instruments. Ess attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied music composition and theory. She later moved to New York City, where she became involved in the avant-garde music scene. In the early 1980s, she co-founded the experimental music group, Y Pants, with fellow musicians Barbara Kruger and Jill Kroesen. The group was known for their unique sound, which combined elements of punk, new wave, and experimental music. Throughout her career, Ess collaborated with many other musicians and artists, including Sonic Youth, Glenn Branca, and Laurie Anderson. She also worked as a photographer, capturing images of the New York City music scene and other subjects. One of Ess's most notable performances was at the Kitchen in New York City in 1982. She performed a solo set on guitar and violin, which was well-received by the audience and critics. She also performed at other venues throughout the city, including CBGB and Max's Kansas City. Ess received several awards and grants throughout her career, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1985. She was also a recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in 1991. In addition to her music and photography, Ess was also a writer and educator. She taught at several universities, including the School of Visual Arts in New York City and the University of California, San Diego. Ess passed away on March 15, 2021, at the age of 73. She left behind a legacy as a pioneering musician and artist who pushed the boundaries of experimental music and photography. Her contributions to the avant-garde music scene in New York City and beyond will be remembered for years to come.

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