— Curriculum Vitae —
Joseph Martin Waters Ph.D.
4879 Beaumont Drive
La Mesa, Ca 91941-4455
joseph.martin.waters@gmail.com
tel. 619-750-7125
Employment: Full Professor, Coordinator of Composition Studies, School of Music & Dance, San Diego State University
Community Service: Founder and Artistic Director of NWEAMO Festival (New West Electro-Acoustic Music Organization) 1998-present (curates and presents annual international festival of music)
Education: Yale University School of Music, M.M. Composition; University of Oregon, Ph.D. Composition (supporting area Computer Music); University of Minnesota, B.S. Composition & Theory
Professional Growth: Composition (equated with research and publication) (Limited to past 5 years)
Composition Levels A & D: Commissions
Year | Commissioning Artist/Location | Instrumentation |
2018 | PHASE Ensemble, Seoul, Korea | Indigenous Korean Ensemble, consisting of: Piri & Saengwhang, Daegeum & Sogeum & Danso, Haegeum, Geomungo, Gayageum |
2018 | Felix Olschofka, Univ. of North TX | Violin & Piano (title: Cloud Formations On Sepia, premiere in San Diego, April 29, 2018) |
2018 | University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra (dir. Clay Couturiaux) | New arrangement of double concerto “Surf”, for solo clarinet and solo violin with orchestra. Premiere Feb. 28, 2018, UNT |
2017 | Composer’s Concordance, NYC | Mixed Chamber Ensemble (title: Gratitude, premiered in NYC, Nov. 10, 2017) |
2017 | Composer’s Concordance, NYC | String Orchestra (title: String Beings II — Demons, premiered in NYC, Nov. 5, 2017) |
2016 | Composer’s Concordance, NYC | Big Band (2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophone, 4 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, Bass Trombone, Elec. Guitar, Piano, Drum Set) (title: Resist, premiered in NYC, March 3, 2017) |
2016 | San Diego City Opera, San Diego, CA Director: Cynthia Stokes Librettist: Allan Havis | 6 vocal soloists, chorus, guitar (classical & electric), electric bass, piano, soprano & alto sax, vibraphone, Drumset, electronics (title: St. Francis De Los Barrios, in progress, 3 workshops realized, & next workshop performances planned for 2018) |
2016 | SDSU Orchestra, San Diego, CA | Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Large Orchestra (title: The Garden, work is completed, duration 32 min., originally commissioned for Copley Hall Gala, Spring 2017, performance postponed until 2019) |
2015 | TrioPolis (Dallas, Texas) | Violin, Clarinet & Piano (title: You, As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn, premiered at U. of North Texas, see below) |
2015 | Cho Eun Lee & Michael Couper | Alto Saxophone & Piano (title: Summer, premiered at Carnegie Hall, see below) |
2014 | SDSU Orchestra (Michael Gerdes) | Symphony Orchestra and 4 soloists (duration: 30 minutes) (title: Suite Noir, 2 performances) |
2014 | Ra-young Ahn (Seoul, Korea) | Solo Violin, Solo Alto Saxophone & electronics (title: M8untain In The Mist duration: 12 minutes) |
2013 | Lewis-Clark State College/Lewiston, ID | Saxophone Quartet and Electronics |
2013 | 1st Unitarian Universalist Children’s Choir/San Diego | Children’s Choir, Piano |
November 13, 2016, NWEAMO-Tokyo Festival, Venue: Kondori Classics, Tokyo, Japan,
EeOoEe ((soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics) performed by SWARMIUS Ensemble
Cornelia St. ((soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics) performed by SWARMIUS Ensemble
November 12, 2016, NWEAMO-Tokyo Festival, Venue: Kondori Classics, Tokyo, Japan,
Cali Karsilama (2 violins, live electronics, performed by Miolina Ensemble (NYC)
November 10, 2016, Venue: Monten Hall, Tokyo, Japan, (Concert Title: New York VS San Diego)
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Cornelia Street (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
EeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Orpheus (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
November, 2016, Seoul Arts Center, IBK Chamber Music Hall, Tokyo, Japan
M8untain In The Mist (violin, alto sax, electronics) — world premier
Cali' Karsilama (violin, alto sax, electronics) — new arrangement
Amphibious Dub (violin, alto sax, electronics) — new arrangement
September 20, 2014, Seoul Arts Center, IBK Chamber Music Hall, Seoul, Korea,
M8untain In The Mist (violin, alto sax, electronics) — world premier
Cali' Karsilama (violin, alto sax, electronics) — new arrangement
Amphibious Dub (violin, alto sax, electronics) — new arrangement
Dec. 6, 2017, Atkinson Hall, UCSD, San Diego. Workshop and public performance of in-progress opera St. Francis De Los Barrios. Scenes 1 & 3 were performed, duration: 63 minutes. Music ensemble comprised 5 vocal soloists, 8 person choir, 7 instrumental performers. Altogether 23 songs with connecting recitative were performed before a live audience of 200.
Nov. 10, 2017, Cornelia Street Cafe , CompCord Chamber Ensemble, commissioned, curated performance
Early evening show at 6:30 PM
Gratitude (countertenor voice, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano & tap dancer).. World premiere
Nov. 10, 2017, Cornelia Street Cafe, SWARMIUS Ensemble featured curated performance — 2 shows
Show 1 (8:30 PM)
7 Inches (countertenor, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Show Me (countertenor voice, baritone voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop), world premiere
Sanction Me (countertenor voice, baritone voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop), world premiere
Gratitude (countertenor voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion), world premiere version
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax, soprano sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cherry Blossoms (alto sax, piano)
EeOoEe (vocals, alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
St Francis (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Show 2 (10:00PM)
7 Inches (countertenor, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Show Me (countertenor voice, baritone voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop), world premiere
Sanction Me (countertenor voice, baritone voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop), world premiere
Gratitude (countertenor voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, percussion), world premiere
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax, soprano sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Things (vocals, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, piano)
EeOoEe (vocals, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, piano, live electronics via laptop)
St Francis (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Summer (alto sax, piano)
M8ountain In The Mist (countertenor, soprano sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
November 5, 2017, Le Poisson Rouge, Bleeker St, Greenwich Village, NYC, by CompCord String Orchestra —
String Beings II — Demons, world premiere (commission)
May 25, 2017, Kostabi World Uptown, New York City (Composers Concordance) — curated performance
(Salon concert at the upper east side home of renowned visual artist Mark Kostabi)
7 Inches (countertenor, alto sax, piano, percussion & live electronics via laptop) ..world premiere
Things (vocals, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, piano)
March 19, 2017, San Diego State University, Smith Hall, CA (NWEAMO Festival 2017)
Performances by the TrioPolis Ensemble (based at UNT)
Cherry Blossoms (clarinet,violin, piano) .. world premiere arrangement
You, As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn (clarinet,violin, piano)
March 17, 2017, San Francisco State University School of Music, Knuth Hall
Event: Triopolis Ensemble concert
(Kimberly Cole Luevano - clarinet, Felix Olschofka - violin, Anatolia Ionnides - piano)
You As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn (3 musicians: violin, clarinet, piano)
March 17, 2017, San Diego State University, Smith Hall, CA (NWEAMO Festival 2017)
Performances by the SWARMIUS Ensemble and guests (including selections from opera St Francis De Los Barrios
Help You To Live (countertenor voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, elec. Guitar, e. Bass, percussion), world premiere
Street Sex (countertenor voice, mixed chorus, piano,), world premiere
Corner Room In Hell (countertenor voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, elec. Guitar, e. Bass, percussion, electronics), world premiere
You Said Once You Loved Me (countertenor voice, Classical Guitar, Contrabass), world premiere
Things (countertenor voice, soprano sax, alto sax, piano, vibraphone, electronics),
Cherry Blossoms (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, vibraphone)
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax, soprano sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Resist (soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trombone, piano, drumset, electronics).. World premiere arrangement
March 3, 2017, The Cutting Room, New York City (Composers Concordance) — commissioned, curated performance
Resist (world premiere) (Big Band: 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophone, 4 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, Bass Trombone, Elec. Guitar, Piano, Drum Set)
March 2, 2017 Baylor University, School of Music
Event: Triopolis Ensemble concert
(Kimberly Cole Luevano - clarinet, Felix Olschofka - violin, Anatolia Ionnides - piano)
You As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn (3 musicians: violin, clarinet, piano)
Feb. 8, 2017, College of Music, University of North Texas
Event: Triopolis Ensemble concert
(Kimberly Cole Luevano - clarinet, Felix Olschofka - violin, Anatolia Ionnides - piano)
You As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn (3 musicians: violin, clarinet, piano)
January 29, 2017, Rockwood Music Hall, New York City — curated performance by Miolina (Violin Duo)
Cali' Karsilama v3 (2 violins, electronics) — new arrangement
November 1, 2016, Queens College of the City University of New York, The Aaron Copland School of Music — curated performance by Miolina (Violin Duo)
Cali' Karsilama v3 (2 violins, electronics) — new arrangement
September 30, 2016, Portland State University — Lincoln Hall, Fear Now Music ensemble, “Joel’s Greatest Hits” 25 year retrospective
Flame Head (percussion & electronics)
May 30, 2016, Cornelia Street Cafe, Sunday performance series — curated performance
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax, electric guitar, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cherry Blossoms (alto sax, piano)
EeOoEe (vocals, alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
St Francis (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Summer (alto sax, piano)
Dragon (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Pacific 565 (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
May 9, 2016, Fresno State Concert Hall, "Ensemble de virtuosite" chamber music concert
Arabesque (aka “Arabesque for Piano”) (NOTE: new arrangement for flute, alto saxophone & euphonium)
Arabesque II: Rhythm Puzzle (aka “Rhythm Puzzle”) NOTE: this new arrangement for flute, alto saxophone & euphonium)
Arabesque III: Garden Creatures (aka “Triple Meter In E Major”) NOTE: this new arrangement for flute, alto saxophone & euphonium)
April 2, 2016, University of Oregon — Beall Concert Hall, The Northwest Percussion Festival — Directors Recital
Flame Head (percussion & electronics)
March 24, 2016, University of Houston — Choral Recital Hall, TrioPolis ensemble
You As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn ( violin, clarinet, piano)
Feb. 8, 2016, University of North Texas — Recital Hall, Denton, TX, TrioPolis ensemble — commissioned, curated performance
You As A Sea Turtle In A Kelp Forest At Dawn (violin, clarinet, piano) (world premiere)
December 9, 2015, Kostabi World Uptown, New York City (Composers Concordance) — curated performance
(Salon concert at the upper east side home of renowned visual artist Mark Kostabi)
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
EeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Orpheus (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
December 7, 2015, Shape Shifter Lounge, Brooklyn, NY (NWEAMO NYC) — invited performance
(ShapeShifter Lab is a respected venue for presentation of top level jazz & contemporary classical artists)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
EeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
St Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Press:
www.villagevoice.com/event/nweamo-nyc-7969931
December 6, 2015, St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, NYC — curated performance
(Composers Concordance “Band of Gypsies”)
Purple Alto (alto saxophone) (world premiere)
November 17, 2015, Cal State San Bernardino — invited concert and master class
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
DragonEeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Orpheus (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
October 31, 2016, Carnegie Hall, New York City (work as commissioned for this performance)
Summer (alto saxophone & piano)
August 29, 2015, Carlsbad Music Festival — (invited performance at curated annual national music festival)
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Orpheus (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Aurora (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
November 21, 2014, Cal State Fresno — invited residency, featuring full evening performance of works for SWARMIUS ensemble at university concert series, plus master class in composition
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone) — world premiere
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
November 6, 2014, University of Colorado, Denver — invited residency, featuring full evening performance of works for SWARMIUS ensemble at university concert series, plus master class in composition
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Falling (mezzo soprano voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Things (mezza sop. voice, sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Snowflakes In Starlight (mezza sop. voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
September 20, 2014, 11th Annual Carlsbad Music festival. (prestigious annual festival featuring invited living composers of international reputation) featuring performance of works for SWARMIUS ensemble
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Dragon (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Vampyr (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Electric Blood (alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
March 27, 2014, Art of Elan Chamber Music Society, Glashaus (prestigious San Diego concert series featuring nationally & internationally recognized composers and performers).. featuring Swarmius Ensemble
Snowflakes In Starlight ( soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
March 23, 2014, NWEAMO Festival, Reuben Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park Omnimax Theater, San Diego, CA
Raccoons In The Pool (violin, melodion/panpipes, xylophone, electronics w/ digital animation) — world premiere
March 22, 2014, NWEAMO Festival, Reuben Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park Omnimax Theater, San Diego, CA
Things (alto voice, sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone, harp, electronics) — world premiere
Raccoons In The Pool (violin, melodion/panpipes, xylophone, electronics) — world premiere
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone)
Aurora In Starlight (soprano sax, vibraphone)
Falling (children’s choir, piano, harp, elec. bass, djembe) — new arrangement
March 17, 2014, Kyoto Symposium Annual Gala — Black tie gala celebrating Kyoto Prize laureates. I was chosen to perform my work “Dragon”, for live electronics and alto saxophone, to honor Dr. Robert Dennard, the inventor of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). I was chosen after a national search for a musical work which incorporated in depth utilization of computer generated sounds and musical instruments.
February 9, 2014, Cornelia St. Cafe, Greenwich Village, NYC. 6 PM.
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone) — world premiere
Grand Larceny (soprano sax, alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
November 3, 2013, 36th Annual Festival of New American Music, Sacramento, CA
— (Featured Performance and Master class)
This is a prestigious, annual week long festival of contemporary music, featuring cutting edge work. Composers usually have one piece on a concert. The festival dedicated an entire evening to my work, featuring the following ten compositions, & including three world premieres:
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — world premiere
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — world premiere
Whimsy (soprano sax, vibraphone) — world premiere
Grand Larceny (soprano sax, alto sax, tabla, amplified bow & arrow, electronics) — new arrangement
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, tabla, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
May 11, 2013, Tribeca New Music Festival 2013 (Concert #3 — Tribeca Monsters)
Venue: The Cell, 338 W. 23rd Street, NYC
Do Something Foolish (Geoffrey Burleson – piano, electronics)
April 28, 2013, NWEAMO Festival, San Diego, CA
Pacific 565 Toccata (soprano voice, alto sax, pipe organ, electric guitar, piano, harp, vibraphone) — world premier
Falling (soprano voice, alto voice, harp, piano, elec. bass, tabla, djembe, darbuka) — world premier
Tickle (soprano voice, alto voice, harp, piano, elec. guitar, marimba, sudo, cuica) — world premier
Upon A Karenning Fallingstar (piano solo) — world premier
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano voice, alto sax, pipe organ, electric guitar, piano, harp, vibraphone) — world premier
April 16, 2013, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. (Invited Residency)
Grand Larceny (alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (alto sax, electronics)
Vampyr (alto sax, electronics)
Electric Blood (alto sax, electronics)
Dragon (alto sax, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, electronics)
March 11, 2013, Fresno State University
Grand Larceny (alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (alto sax, electronics)
Vampyr (alto sax, electronics)
Electric Blood (alto sax, electronics)
Dragon (alto sax, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, electronics)
February 12, 2013, Sacramento State University, Capistrano Hall
Grand Larceny (alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (alto sax, electronics)
Vampyr (alto sax, electronics)
Electric Blood (alto sax, electronics)
Dragon (alto sax, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, electronics)
February 6, 2013, San Francisco State University, Knuth Hall.
Grand Larceny (alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (alto sax, electronics)
Vampyr (alto sax, electronics)
Electric Blood (alto sax, electronics)
Dragon (alto sax, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, electronics)
Local Performances: Level C
October 27, 2017, The Lafayette Hotel, San Diego (Thursday Evening Performance Series) — curated performance
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Cornelia Street (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
EeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
Orpheus X (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, piano)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, live electronics)
Labyrinth Of Leaves (Tenor Saxophone & live electronics)
Summer (Alto Saxophone & Piano)
Things (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
Mother Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
Cherry Blossoms (soprano sax, alto sax, piano)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, piano, live electronics)
May 19, 2016, SDSU Downtown Gallery (San Diego State University), "Downtown At Sundown"
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Dragon (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Cherry Blossoms (alto sax, piano)
St Francis (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Summer (alto sax, piano)
Purple Alto (alto sax)
Electric Blood (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, piano & live electronics via laptop)
April 17, 2016, Spreckels Organ Pavillion, Balboa Park, San Diego, "Celebrating The Earth” (Earth Day)
Cali’ Karsilama (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
EeOoEe ( musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
St. Francis (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
NOTE: incorrectly listed in program as “St. Patrick”
Pacific 565 Fugue (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
April 2, 2016 Martin-Lawrence Galleries, La Jolla, California, Modern Masters Show,
Review: http://www.sandiegostory.com/swarmius-and-its-music-of-the-21st-century-rubs-shoulders-with-great-art-of-the-last-century-at-la-jollas-martin-lawrence-galleries/
Cali’ Karsilama (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Dragon (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
EeOoEe ( musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
St. Francis (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Icicles In Starlight (aka Roman Improv #2) ( 3 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Orpheus Is A tiptoed Steam Horse (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Aurora in Starlight (aka Whimsy) (3 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Labyrinth of Leaves (baritone sax & live electronics)
Electric Blood (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Vampyr (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Bee — A Havanero Palindrome (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Amphibious Dub (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Pacific 565 Fugue (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)
Cherry Blossoms (sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone) World Premiere
April 21, 2016, SDSU Downtown Gallery (San Diego State University), "Downtown At Sundown"
Dragon (alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
Labyrinth of Leaves (baritone sax & live electronics)
Orpheus X (aka Orpheus Is A tiptoed Steam Horse) (4 musicians: sop. sax, alto sax, percussion & live electronics via laptop)alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
Cornelia Street (alto sax & live electronics via laptop) World Premiere Performance
Cali’ Karsilama (alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
Electric Blood (alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
Purple Alto (alto sax)
Vampyr (alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax & live electronics via laptop)
April 8, 2016, Central Library, San Diego, "NWEAMO 2016 — Music and Myth"
Summer (alto sax & piano)
Flame Head ( percussion & live electronics via laptop)
October 18, 2015, North University Community Library
Cali Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
EeOoEe (Phantom Toccata) - world premier (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
St. Francis (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Orpheus (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
Pacific 565 Fugue (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, live electronics)
September 9, Smith Recital Hall, SDSU
Summer (world premiere) (alto saxophone & piano)
January 9, 2015, Main Gallery, School or Art, SDSU — International Bacteriophage Conference Gala celebration. Culminating event of ground-breaking semester-long initiative connecting bio-science, music, art and creative writing. Featured performance by SWARMIUS Ensemble surrounding spoken program by SDSU Pres. & Provost
M8untain In The Mist (mezzo soprano voice, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Things (mezzo soprano voice, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight (soprano sax, vibraphone)
Dragon (alto sax, harp, vibes, electronics)
December 10, 2014, Central Library San Diego — 100th Performance of the SWARMIUS Ensemble
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Falling (mezzo soprano voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Things (mezza sop. voice, sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Snowflakes In Starlight (mezza sop. voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
November 7, 2014, 10th Street Art Center, San Diego — invited fullperformance of the SWARMIUS Ensemble
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Falling (mezzo soprano voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Things (mezza sop. voice, sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Snowflakes In Starlight (mezza sop. voice, soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone) — new arrangement
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
October 19, 2014, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, La Mesa, CA
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone) — world premiere
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Things (mezza sop. voice, sop. sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
October 16, 2014, Oceanside Public Library, Oceanside, CA
M8untain In The Mist (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax,vibraphone, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
June 7, 2014, Silverlake Lounge, Los Angeles, CA (Classical Revolution Series). Invited performance at breakout classical music performance series
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Icicles In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone)
Aurora In Starlight(soprano sax, vibraphone)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax,vibraphone, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, vibraphone, electronics)
April 19, 2014, National Engineering Conference, UCSD. Featured musical performance at culminating evenibg featuring Irwin Jacobs as speaker.
Cali' Karsilama (alto sax,vibraphone, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse ( alto sax, electronics)
Dragon (alto sax, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (alto sax, electronics)
March 16, 2014, Smith Recital Hall, SDSU, CA
Surf (Double Concerto for Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Symphony Orchestra plus live electronics)
December 12, 2013, 1st Unitarian Universalist Church — UU Children’s Choir Fall Concert
Falling (children’s choir, piano) — new arrangement
November 6, 2013, Smith Recital Hall, SDSU, CA
Snowflakes In Starlight (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone)
Whimsy (soprano sax, vibraphone)
Grand Larceny (soprano sax, alto sax, electronics)
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, marimba, electronics)
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics)
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics)
September 21, 2013, Malcolm X Experimental Music Festival, Malcolm X Library, San Diego, CA
Grand Larceny (soprano sax, alto sax, electronics) — new arrangement
Cali' Karsilama (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, marimba, electronics) — new arrangement
Orpheus Is A Tip-Toed Steam Horse (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Vampyr (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Electric Blood (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Dragon (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, multi-percussion, electronics) — new arrangement
Amphibious Dub (soprano sax, alto sax, harp, vibraphone, electronics) — new arrangement
Critical Reviews & Interviews:
At the Martin Lawrence Galleries’ Saturday (April 2) opening featuring art by Picasso, Chagall, Miró, and Dalí, the intrepid Swarmius ensemble performed a dozen works by Joseph Martin Waters while patrons took in the exhibition, discussed art, and even made some very upscale purchases.
Swarmius at the Martin Lawrence Galleries (from left: Todd Rewoldt, Andrew Kreysa, Michael Couper [photo courtesy of SanDiegoStory]The scene revealed La Jolla at its best: art both visual and aural commingling with a lively social scene; curious tourists strolling up Prospect Street attempting to discern the scene, and sales associates busily circulating eager to close a deal. Fortunately, the music Swarmius played—like the Serenades written by Mozart—functioned on two levels: ample complexity and engagement for those willing to listen closely and an equal portion of animated ambient music to lubricate the social affair.
Swarmius in its most compact traveling configuration—Todd Rewoldt on alto sax, Michael Couper on soprano sax, Andrew Kreysa on vibraphone, and the composer at the computer—opened with two of its more buoyant, kinetic repertory standards “Cali Karsilama” and “Dragon.”
A work listed on the program as “EeOoEe” turned out to be the latest evolution of Waters’ grand deconstruction/reconstruction of of J. S. Bach’s Organ Toccata in D Minor, BWV 565, which Waters wrote for a large chamber ensemble (including piano, pipe organ and voices) for the 2013 NWEAMO Festival. The “EeOoEe” of the new title represents the sound of the vocalized mordent, sung in falsetto by Rewoldt, that famously begins the toccata. As Waters toyed with Bach’s clever rapid riffs, the two saxophones frequently assumed dueling roles, with Kreysa’s fleet mallet work and the magic of Waters’ computer holding the explosive piece together.
Many great composers, including Franz Liszt, Ferruccio Busoni, and Igor Stravinsky, have been attracted by Bach’s keyboard works and have reworked them in their own idiom. Waters continues this tradition, bringing the Leipzig master into the 21st century with edge and wit.
Waters’ new acoustic piece, “Cherry Blossoms,” completed only days before this performance, evoked that big band nostalgia that Waters exploited so creatively in his recent orchestral work “Suite Noir.” A slow ballad constructed from gentle three-note motifs that slowly expand into more persuasive themes, “Cherry Blossoms” needs only a romantic text to send it soaring on the pop charts. Another piece that brushed against the popular idioms of the last century, “Icicles in Starlight,” Waters himself described as “Henry Mancini meets Stravinsky.”
Having the extreme virtuosity of Rewoldt at his disposal, Waters wrote “Labyrinth of Leaves” as a brilliant, complex etude for tenor sax complemented with digital sonic effects. So when does Rewoldt get his own Saxophone Concerto?
Appropriately, Waters chose his “Pacific 565 Fugue” as the group’s postlude to this gallery opening event. “Pacific 565,” Waters’ reconstruction of the Bach D Minor Fugue that goes with the D Minor Toccata, is even more over the top than Bach’s own flashy coda to the original fugue. In Bach’s time, this wild style was called the stylus phantasticus, and certainly there are few ensembles today better equipped to handle virtuoso fantastic music than Swarmius.
Dec. 30, 2015 — San Diego Story Bravo Award, by Ken Herman (excerpt)
http://www.sandiegostory.com/san-diego-storys-bravos-and-boos-for-2015/
I begin my catalogue of 2015 Bravos with (1) San Diego Opera, … John Adams’ Nixon in China and Mozart’s Don Giovanni…...
(2) The La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest 2015 presented three consecutive days of thrilling, probing chamber music by Dmitri Shostakovich, the 2015 festival’s featured composer.
3) Although the Bach Collegium San Diego and its Music Director Ruben Valenzuela ….
4) Joseph Martin Waters’ new large work Suite Noir struck me as a compelling composition that can speak to an unusually wide spectrum of audience tastes and expectations. Scored for symphony, solo voice, instrumental soloists and electronic components, Waters’ own Swarmius Ensemble and the San Diego State University Orchestra under Michael Gerdes premiered Suite Noir in March. Waters’ fusion of eclectic traditions—including jazz from the Ellington era, contemporary dance music, and the aerobic energy of hip-hop—give vitality and scope to his score without falling into mere pastiche, and his dream-infused text also stimulates and engages the listener’s imagination.
…..
June 20, 2015 — Concert Review: SWARMIUS at NWEAMO (excerpt)
Sometimes an unusual venue provides an added level of communication to a concert. From the eighth floor Helen Price Reading Room of the San Diego Central Library, the choral music of Folklore Guild and the instrumental third stream of Swarmius floated above the city in a world of their own.
The library’s high-ceilinged room with its neo-spacecraft architecture and expansive view of the city and bay below suggest a setting for a science fiction film or video game, symbols dear to the heart of Folklore and its Artistic Director Angel Mannion. One of the region’s newest choral groups, Folklore boasts a youthful membership as well as a young, fresh, homogenous sound.………………….
Joseph Martin Waters’ band Swarmius proved the perfect antidote to Folklore’s endless adagios. Reprising his antic virtuoso romp “Dragon,” Waters’ filled the room with pulsing iterations that fused jazz and techno in a salubrious concoction. I missed the dueling melodicas from the original 2011 version of “Dragon,” but adding soprano sax Michael Couper to complement the extravagant effusions of alto sax magician Todd Rewoldt proved more than adequate compensation.
Emma Depuy’s vocal prowess and heightened sense of dramatic urgency propelled Waters’ “M8untain in the Mist” to crown this evening of music in the air with a compelling monodrama. Although the room’s resonant acoustic and roaring instrumental accompaniment muddied her text, her emotional communication was unhindered. I am not certain that adding a choral component to the work for Folklore significantly strengthened my impression from Swarmius’ performance of “M8untain in the Mist” two months ago without choir.
But it made an appropriate grand finale for this concert.
March 22, 2015 — Concert Review: SDSU Symphony Orchestra
Conceptually, the encounter of composer Joseph Martin Waters’ virtuoso avant-garde performance ensemble Swarmius with a symphony orchestra suggested a blazing science fiction movie rather than a sedate concert piece.
For the record, Waters’ “Suite Noir,” which was given its premiere Sunday (March 22) by the San Diego State University Orchestra and five Swarmius soloists, fell into neither category. In this expansive, three-movement 30-minute work, Waters’ stepped back from his usual adventurous harmonic structures and careening electronic overlays to craft a jazzy concerto grosso that also included a prominent role for a vocal soloist.
The consistent Waters trademark, however, is his eclectic elision of genres and styles. Setting up the vocalist as narrator against a turbulent orchestra suggested Schoenberg’s monodrama “Erwartung,” while the function of the virtuoso instrumental soloists suggested one of J. S. Bach’s “Brandenburg” Concertos.
In Waters’ verbal program notes before the performance, he described his intention to pay homage to American jazz and popular vocal music of the mid-20th century. That desire brought in the harmonic palette of the jazz greats Ellington and Dorsey, which he beautifully embodied in moody saxophone solos—executed with consummate finesse by Michael Couper—doubled and decorated by the shimmer of Andrew Kreysa’s vibraphone artistry.
And what better way to invoke Hollywood’s golden age of noir than the croon of a saxophone?
Waters’ “Suite Noir” was indeed sweet noir.
Vocalist Emma DePuy dominated the opening movement, using her creamy mezzo and sophisticated phrasing to paint Waters’ dreamlike nocturnal scene (the text can be found in the program below). Over a relaxed orchestral pulse, Waters provided her an angular arioso line that alluded to the arch conversational style of Kurt Weill’s songs from his American stage works. One Touch of Venusperhaps?
Waters’ middle movement began as a stormy orchestral scherzo that fiercely engaged the orchestra’s string and percussion sections, launched by violinist Isaac Allen’s bold opening salvo. After another round of Kreysa’s vigorous, incisive vibraphone figurations, Couper’s bluesy sax line slowed down the pace to allow DePuy to summon the break of dawn with gentle vocal ruminations.
“Suite Noir” ended with a frenzied dance that evoked ecstatic dervishes and gave fervid solos for each soloist, including pianist Karen Follingstad. Conductor Michael Gerdes successfully guided his orchestra through the many challenges of the new score. At their best, he made his players sound like a plush studio orchestra from motion pictures’ golden age.
Gerdes opened the SDSU Symphony’s program with Aaron Copland’s iconic noir opus “Quiet City,” featuring trumpeter John Wilds and English Horn soloist Sarah Skuster. Each soloist plays with the San Diego Symphony and serves on the SDSU music faculty, and each gave this piece the deftly restrained lyrical quality Copland intended for his moody work.
Although I have attended other events in SDSU’s Montezuma Hall at the new Conrad Prebys Student Union, this is the first time I have heard a concert presented in it. A large, high-ceilinged room, Montezuma Hall’s acoustics were friendly enough for an orchestra concert, although without a shell behind the players, the ensemble lacked some focus deeper in the seating area. But it is a promising venue.
Festivals Curated:
Was invited by ShapeShifter+, the non-profit presenting wing of this respected jazz
and contemporary classical music venue, to curate an evening. In response I
presented 6 artists/bands, including SWARMIUS, under the auspices of NWEAMO, the
501(c)(3) presenting organization that I founded in 1998. The lineup was:
![Swarmius at the Martin Lawrence Galleries [photo courtesy of SanDiegoStory]](images/image1.jpg)