Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 21, 1949 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

David Moss is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through his exceptional vocal abilities and innovative approach to performance. Born on January 11, 1949, in New York City, Moss grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a painter, which exposed him to different forms of art from an early age. Moss began his musical journey as a drummer, but he soon discovered his passion for singing. He studied music at the University of Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1971. He then went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in music at the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned composer and performer, Morton Subotnick. Moss's early career was marked by his involvement in the experimental music scene in New York City. He collaborated with a number of avant-garde musicians and artists, including John Cage, Philip Glass, and Laurie Anderson. He also performed with the seminal experimental rock band, The Residents, and contributed to their album, "Eskimo." In the 1980s, Moss began to gain recognition for his solo work as a vocalist and performer. He developed a unique style of vocal improvisation that incorporated elements of beatboxing, scat singing, and extended vocal techniques. He also incorporated theatrical elements into his performances, using props and costumes to create visually stunning and engaging shows. One of Moss's most notable performances was his 1983 solo show, "Terrain," which premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The show featured Moss performing a series of vocal improvisations accompanied by a video projection of his face. The performance was hailed as a groundbreaking work of experimental music and helped to establish Moss as a major figure in the avant-garde music scene. Moss continued to push the boundaries of vocal performance throughout the 1980s and 1990s, collaborating with a wide range of musicians and artists from different genres and disciplines. He worked with jazz saxophonist John Zorn on the album "The Big Gundown," which featured Zorn's arrangements of Ennio Morricone's film music. He also collaborated with composer and conductor Pierre Boulez on a performance of Boulez's "Le Marteau sans Maître." In addition to his work as a performer, Moss has also been involved in music education and has taught at a number of institutions, including the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in Germany and the California Institute of the Arts. He has also conducted workshops and masterclasses around the world, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring musicians and performers. Moss's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1991, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his work in music composition. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. In 2010, Moss was awarded the Berlin Prize by the American Academy in Berlin, which recognizes outstanding scholars, writers, and artists who have made significant contributions to their fields. The award allowed Moss to spend a year in Berlin, where he continued to work on his music and collaborate with other artists. Today, Moss continues to perform and create music, pushing the boundaries of vocal performance and exploring new forms of expression.

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